USC’s Williams Looks at NFL

USC receiver Mike Williams is exploring the possibility but has not decided whether he will forgo his final two years of eligibility and make himself available for the NFL draft.

“I haven’t decided anything,” Williams said through a school spokesman Friday.

ESPN.com, citing sources attending the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, reported that, “barring an unanticipated change of heart,” Williams would take advantage of the recent Maurice Clarett court decision and turn pro.

“That’s just someone taking a shot,” USC Coach Pete Carroll said.

Carroll acknowledged that he had discussed the NFL with the 6-foot 5-inch, 230-pound Williams, who was a consensus All-American as a sophomore and helped lead USC to a share of its first national title in 25 years.

Williams, 20, has been participating in the Trojans’ off-season conditioning program and is currently academically eligible, said Tim Tessalone, USC’s sports information director.

Kathy and Jack McCurdy, who took Williams into their Tampa, Fla., home when he was 16, were in Los Angeles this week and reportedly met with academic counselors and members of the coaching staff to discuss Williams’ options.

Players have until March 1 to petition for inclusion in the draft, which will take place April 24-25. Carroll said Williams told him Friday that he had not made a decision about turning pro.

“There’s no reason for him to,” Carroll said. “He has plenty of time to take a look at this.”

Clarett, a running back who played one season at Ohio State, sued the NFL over its guidelines that required players to be three years removed from their high school graduation date to be eligible for the league’s draft. On Feb. 5, a federal judge in New York ruled that the NFL was in violation of anti-trust laws and ordered the league to allow Clarett and underclassmen into the draft.

On the day of the decision, which is being appealed by the NFL, Williams said, “Good for Maurice Clarett. It was something he went after and he was successful. Who knows? Maybe it will open the door for others who think they can succeed. But I always thought the rule was fine the way it was. So this ruling has nothing to do with me.”

USC coaches and players, however, expected Williams to explore the possibility of turning pro, especially after last season’s dominating performance.

Williams caught 95 passes for 1,314 yards and 16 touchdowns and manhandled opposing defensive backs as the Trojans went 12-1. He finished eighth in balloting for the Heisman Trophy, making him one of the potential front-runners for this year’s award, along with Trojan quarterback Matt Leinart, who finished sixth.