Carroll: Reggie Bush Is NFL-Ready

By: Gary Klein | L.A. Times

USC Coach Pete Carroll said Thursday that he would advise Heisman Trophy-winning tailback Reggie Bush to turn pro if he was emotionally ready to do so because of his projected status as the top running back in the NFL draft.

Reggie Bush, a junior, and other draft-eligible players have until Jan. 15 to make themselves available for the April draft.

"I have to talk to him to make sure he's right for that, but I think that's good sound thinking," Carroll said.

Carroll has long maintained that players benefit from completing their eligibility, but he said Reggie Bush 's status as the projected top player at his position separates him.

"That's when you take advantage of going," Carroll said. "That doesn't mean you do it because emotionally you might not be ready to or you don't want to."

Reggie Bush, expected to announce that he will turn pro, is one of several draft-eligible Trojans, including junior running back LenDale White, junior offensive linemen Winston Justice and Fred Matua, junior safety Darnell Bing and junior flanker Steve Smith.

Carroll said, "We're working round the clock with these guys with their information."

White met briefly with Carroll on Thursday.

As he left campus, White told reporters he would announce his decision next Thursday.

March
•Reggie Bush Vows to Focus on Football

February
•Bush teams with Shaq to host All-Star charity event
•Dog thinks 2 $900 Super Bowl tickets tasty treat
•Boonton man scores big with Super Bowl tickets
•Dog thinks 2 $900 Super Bowl tickets tasty treat

Super Bowl Weekend
•OK!'s Guide to the Super Bowl Parties
•"Hannah" primed to claim Super Bowl weekend
•Paris Hilton, Ludacris party alongside 50 Cent at pre-game Super Bowl concert

January
•Reggie Bush Engaged to Kim Kardashian?

December
•Eagles vs. Saints Preview 12/23/07
•Bush Hoping to Play Against Eagles 12/18/07
•Cardinals 24, Saints 31
•Bush Out For the Year 12/12/07
•Falcons 14, Saints 34 12/10/07
•Falcons vs. Saints Preview 12/10/07
•Buccaneers 27, Saints 23 12/02/07
•Buccaneers vs. Saints Preview 12/02/07


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