Southern Cal will enter the 2010 season without their leading rusher from the 2009 season, ESPN.com‘s Joe Schad is reporting.
Speaking to Schad, running back Joe McKnight said that he was leaving school early and making himself available for the NFL draft.
“The time is right,” McKnight said. “This was my first healthy season and I really don’t want to come back and risk injury.”
McKnight’s up-and-down collegiate career ends under a cloud of suspicion as he missed USC’s bowl win due to an internal investigation into his use of the vehicle. The junior said the probe played no role in his decision.
(Uhhh, sure. OK.)
Showing the type of team player he is, McKnight said the one reason he would’ve returned would have been “to pursue the Heisman”.
McKnight became the first USC back to reach the 1,000-yard mark since 2005, and finished his career with 2,213 yards and 13 touchdowns.