White Might Try to Become the Third

USC practiced for the first time Friday with two Heisman Trophy winners in the backfield.

Tailback Reggie Bush, who won the Heisman in a landslide victory last week, and quarterback Matt Leinart, the 2004 winner, joined the top-ranked Trojans for their first full-squad workout since the regular-season finale against UCLA.

Afterward, junior tailback LenDale White said he would try to win the Heisman if he returns for a final season of eligibility.

“If I stay at USC next year, I plan 100% on going after it,” White said. “And I feel like I’m going to win it. But if I [don’t return], then I can’t win it.”

White said he would not announce whether he will stay or make himself available for the NFL draft until after the Jan. 4 Rose Bowl against second-ranked Texas.

“I have a good idea what I might do, but I’m not going to say anything until it’s time, and that’s after the football game,” he said.

Asked who would help him make the decision, White said, “Me. Honestly, it’s just my decision. It’s what I feel in my heart is best.

“Only I know what I’m ready for. Only I know I’m capable of. My family is very supportive and they help me out with the decision, but at the same time it ultimately comes down to how I feel and what I feel is best for me.”

Other USC draft-eligible players who are not seniors besides White and Bush, who is expected to announce he will turn pro, are safety Darnell Bing, defensive end Lawrence Jackson, receiver Steve Smith and offensive linemen Winston Justice, Fred Matua and Sam Baker.

Coach Pete Carroll said he would conduct a seminar on the pros and cons of leaving school early Tuesday after practice.

“It’s an educational deal, a couple guys coming in to give their expertise,” said Carroll, who would not reveal the names of his planned guest speakers.

“We’ll just start teaching everybody and then focus in on guys that are in consideration for that.”

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Bush was happy to be on the field after spending nearly a week in Florida and New York before returning to Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Bush said he felt a bit rusty but was “just glad to be back here in the swing of things and not have to do all these appearances and TV shows.”

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Defensive line coach Jethro Franklin interviewed for the head-coaching job at San Diego State, which was expected to announce the hiring of Oklahoma offensive coordinator Chuck Long.... Linebacker Keith Rivers, who is coming back from a hamstring injury, participated in several drills and said he would be ready to play against Texas. Linebacker Thomas Williams (knee) was in uniform for individual work and said he hoped to join team drills next week. Receiver Patrick Turner (hamstring) and running back Michael Coleman (hip) also did light drills.... Metal barricades and other security measures have been installed on USC’s campus near Howard Jones Field ahead of the Rose Bowl. “We’re just trying to get geared up and have a good format for handling the attention as it picks up as we get closer to game time,” Carroll said. Practices are closed to the public but open to “friends and family,” according to Carroll.... More than a dozen recruits, including offensive lineman Sam Young of St. Thomas Aquinas High in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and running back Stafon Johnson of Los Angeles Dorsey, are visiting USC this weekend.