In wake of comments made by high school running back Joe McKnight, USC compliance officials are investigating whether an NCAA recruiting violation occurred during the Trojans' pursuit of the Louisiana prep star.
McKnight, regarded as the nation's top running back prospect, signed a national letter of intent with USC on Wednesday. During a news conference announcing his college choice, he told reporters back home that his mind was put at ease about USC after he listened to a telephone conversation between Coach Pete Carroll and Reggie Bush, the Trojans' Heisman Trophy-winning running back.
There are allegations that Bush received improper benefits while playing for USC, and McKnight was worried that the Trojans might face NCAA sanctions.
McKnight's involvement in telephone communication between Carroll and Bush could itself be a violation of NCAA recruiting rules.
Thursday night, Carroll vehemently denied such a call took place and McKnight, through his high school coach, said he misspoke during the news conference. Earlier, a USC athletic department spokesman said the school was looking into it.
Former players are regarded by the NCAA as "representatives of athletics interests" and are forbidden from telephoning prospective recruits. For example, NCAA bylaw 13.1.3.5.1 states, "Representatives of an institution's athletics interests are prohibited from making telephonic communications with a prospective student-athlete or the prospective student-athlete's relatives or legal guardians."
"It never happened," Carroll said.
Carroll said he broached the subject of a conference call with assistants before a visit to McKnight's home but was told it was against NCAA rules. He also said that McKnight never spoke to Bush, who recently completed his rookie season with the New Orleans Saints.
Bush could not be reached for comment.
The NCAA and the Pacific 10 Conference are investigating whether Bush or his family received "improper benefits" from agents while he was playing for USC. The NCAA has interviewed USC coaches, but Bush and his family have declined to cooperate.
If the NCAA finds violations, USC could be punished. Bush also could lose his Heisman.
The Associated Press reported Wednesday that McKnight said Carroll set up a conference call so he and high school coach J.T. Curtis could talk to Bush and ease their worries that USC might be sanctioned.
