Players Required to Provide More Housing Details

USC players on Monday moved out of their training camp dorms and into the apartments where they will reside during the fall semester.

In any other season, that might not be significant.

But with one NCAA investigation involving living arrangements recently concluded and another ongoing, USC’s compliance office required players and their parents to submit more detailed information about where they reside.

“We’re just trying to find a little more out, trying to just be more aware of what’s going on for obvious reasons,” Coach Pete Carroll said.

The NCAA last week reinstated the eligibility of All-American receiver Dwayne Jarrett, who last season shared an expensive downtown apartment with former quarterback Matt Leinart. Jarrett was ruled ineligible for receiving an “extra benefit.” Jarrett had paid only $650 toward the $3,866 rent, most of which was picked up by Leinart’s father.

Pacific 10 Conference and NCAA investigators want to know if the family of former Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush received improper benefits from a fledgling marketing company while Bush was playing for USC. Bush has said his family did nothing wrong.

At the start of training camp, USC players were required to sign a form detailing where they would live, whom they would live with and how much they would pay in rent.

“They don’t want it to happen again,” junior safety Josh Pinkard said. “Basically, nobody wants it to happen again. So they’re taking precautions.”

As in the past, players also submitted their driver’s licenses and registration information about their cars.

Carroll said cars are monitored throughout the school year.

“What’s happened in the past, if somebody came up with a car from the family and we thought it was something we needed to know about, we’d check into it,” said Carroll, who is starting his sixth season. “We’ve done it probably a half-dozen times over the years.”

In a recent meeting with parents, Dennis Slutak, USC’s director of football operations, gave a presentation detailing NCAA rules. It was among the largest parent turnouts of the Carroll era. Parents were required to acknowledge that they were informed of the rules and they also were supplied with a copy.

“We’ve always talked about the stuff, this time we gave them a little handy handout,” Carroll said. “I know that even without doing anything, their awareness is elevated.”

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Carroll said quarterback John David Booty remained on track to start the opener against Arkansas on Sept. 2, holding off a challenge from redshirt freshman Mark Sanchez.

“I don’t think it’s been that there’s been any obvious separation between the two,” Carroll said. “I just go back to the fact that John David has more background in the offense and he’s done a good solid job. He’s holding onto it right now.”

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Cornerback Kevin Thomas, who missed nearly a week of practice, said tests on his neck and back determined that he stretched a nerve and that he would return in a few days.

Thomas’ absence provided Cary Harris with a huge opportunity and the sophomore from Pacoima has capitalized.

Harris intercepted a pass in practice late last week, returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown during a scrimmage on Sunday night and has delivered some of the most bone-jarring hits daily.

Harris said the experience gained last year as a backup has allowed him to elevate his game.

“I can just go out and play fast now,” he said. “I can show my aggression because I’m not only a cover corner. I can come up and make a hit too.”

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Senior fullback Brandon Hancock sat out after twisting his left knee and said he would have an MRI exam today.... Offensive tackle Sam Baker returned to practice but said he was still working through some dizziness brought on by riding a roller coaster at Knott’s Berry Farm on Saturday night.... Offensive guard Chilo Rachal returned from a concussion suffered Friday.... Running back Chauncey Washington (hamstring) ran and performed agility drills. He said he hoped to practice Thursday.... Running back Desmond Reed took part in team drills but defenders were ordered to avoid contact. Reed is attempting to come back from November knee surgery.... USC will hold a scrimmage at the Coliseum on Sunday at 7:45 p.m. Admission is free.