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Carroll: It pays to stay at USC

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It paid to stay. When former USC linebacker Keith Rivers ended a holdout and signed with the Cincinnati Bengals this week, the Trojans' celebrated senior class of 2007 allowed Coach Pete Carroll to offer nearly 50 million reasons why players should exhaust their eligibility before turning pro. Rivers, defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, offensive lineman Sam Baker and defensive end Lawrence Jackson all considered declaring for the NFL draft after their junior seasons in 2006. They returned and parlayed their decisions into first-round selections last April and five-year contracts that guarantee a combined $49.2 million. "Those numbers, they wow me," said senior linebacker Rey Maualuga, the defensive MVP of the 2008 Rose Bowl who opted to return for a final season. Carroll said it wasn't difficult to determine the benefit of staying for a final season -- unless a junior is projected as the top player at his position. "We don't have to try and build it up because it's so obvious, it's crazy," Carroll said.

Los Angeles Times

Pete Carroll, Christian Petersen/Getty Images Pete Carroll, Christian Petersen/Getty Images
August 8, 2008  08:40 AM ET

Worked well for Matt Leinart. Oh, wait...

August 8, 2008  08:54 AM ET

Probably not the best headline considering their ongoing investigation into Bush...

August 8, 2008  09:13 AM ET

Of course it pays to stay....literally pays to stay

August 8, 2008  09:35 AM ET

OK Carroll, it's time for the Trojans to make a statement this football season they are back to dominate. We already know you've won more games in the past 4 years than any coach...sooooooo...its time to dominate again. I'm expecting the SC Trojans to be in the National Championship Game THIS YEAR! I predicted LSU would win it all last year and with a stroke of luck-including your losses the LSU Tigers won it all. I don't want to see you playing a BIG TEN game in the Rose Bowl. I'm going out on a limb...the Trojans stand a good chance being in the Championship Game.

August 8, 2008  09:48 AM ET

^^^ thats like saying Im pretty sure fat people like cupcakes! Of course they have a good chance they're USC!

August 8, 2008  09:57 AM ET

Nothing is a guareentee buttercups. It takes a stroke of luck and a bounch of that odd looking ball to win the BIG ONE.

August 8, 2008  10:00 AM ET

Puff Muffin...hows your predictions been lately? ^^^^^^^Ol' 84?

August 8, 2008  10:08 AM ET

Damn right it pays. Just ask Reggie Bush.

August 8, 2008  10:09 AM ET

Really good players can show a lot more - and get drafted a lot higher - if they stay and excel through senior year. I wish there was a rule that made kids stay in school if they enroll. Or be eligible for the draft out of high school. Because almost nobody would be NFL ready from high school, the majority would have to enroll in college and finish. remember, folks, there is life after the NFL, no matter how talented you are and a lot of these guys look really pathetic who have no skills to fall back on. Plus, education helps everybody.

August 8, 2008  10:15 AM ET

well..ok

August 8, 2008  10:24 AM ET

Haha I predict USC will be good, I predict they ALWAYS have a chance, just like everyone else in August has a chance.

You'll have to excuse the attitude, I was just making a joke.

Oh for a real one since I am an OSU fan and alum I predict OSU wins in a dogfight...

August 8, 2008  10:34 AM ET

That is why they go there to begin with. The pay is just too good to pass on.

August 8, 2008  10:38 AM ET

Of course it pays to be at USC. He's the only game in town. If I was Pete I would stay there for as long as he can.

August 8, 2008  10:44 AM ET

LOL! That's hilarious. What a great headline!!

Is this really the best pic they can get of Carroll?

August 8, 2008  11:01 AM ET

Whomever wrote this sure knew what they were doing. Brilliant. Of course it pays to play at USC. You think all their football players were driving around in Cadillacs and sporting thousands of dollars in jewelry when they were in high school?

August 8, 2008  11:04 AM ET

It pays to Play at USC.... just ask Reggie Bush and his parents

August 8, 2008  12:27 PM ET

Matt Leinart DId pretty well for himself on Draft Day... and hooked up with a team that has a crazy pass oriented Offense-even now... but the heart of the USC recruiting will be on DEFENSE... look for Both Rey M and Brian Cushing to be TOP Seven Picks in 2009 Draft... Show them the Money....$$$$$$

August 8, 2008  12:30 PM ET

Mayo and Bush second that Petey

August 8, 2008  12:32 PM ET

I pays to play at U$C....Literally.

Who says college athletes cant get paid to play....

 
August 8, 2008  12:33 PM ET

Rumor has it, that when they get drafted they make sure their agent gets them at least as much as they were making at USC!!

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