But Mayo went ahead and signed with USC on Wednesday, he said, because he "didn't want to waste anyone's time. I knew I didn't have any interest anywhere else, so I just wanted to get it over before the [high school] season."
Mayo said his mother, initially reluctant for him to attend a school so far from home, was now on board with his decision because she realized how much he wanted to come to USC.
Floyd, who had publicly acknowledged that he expected Mayo to be on campus for only one season, said Friday that "it's far too early to even speculate on those things. The most important thing is him getting himself established here at the university and try to have as good a year as he could possibly have. All those things will be weighed out in the future, and that will be O.J. and his family's decision. If they ask for my advice, I'll give them my advice."
Other schools that interested Mayo included Florida, Connecticut and Kansas State, he said. Mayo said the first two schools fell off his list after he visited USC over the summer. Kansas State is no longer an option because Mayo's close friend and former high school teammate Bill Walker became a Wildcat this season and is likely to declare for the NBA draft before Mayo could join him.
Mayo said he had researched USC's incoming recruits and waited until highly touted forward Davon Jefferson signed a letter of intent before following suit. Mayo said he believed the current Trojans roster, combined with the incoming recruits, was sufficient for a run at a national title.
"I think it's time for this program to turn it around," Mayo said. "They win national championships in everything except basketball, so I'd like to be the first one to be a part of that."
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ben.bolch@latimes.com
