Southern California wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett has selected an agent and will announce that he is entering the NFL draft at a 2 p.m. news conference at the school's Heritage Hall on Wednesday, two sources close to the situation said Tuesday night.
The junior, a two-time All-American, had 70 catches for 1,015 yards and led the Trojans with 12 touchdowns this season.
The 6-foot-5, 210 pound receiver with a track record of acrobatic catches, is considered a first-round prospect.
When Jarrett arrived in Southern California from Brunswick, N.J., he was homesick and nearly transferred. But following in the footsteps of great Trojans receivers like Keyshawn Johnson and Mike Williams, he became an All-America receiver who will leave USC as the Pac 10's all time leader in touchdown catches.
One question Jarrett will have to answer before the draft is about his durability. Jarrett did miss time with nagging shoulder and quadricep injuries this season.
But he displayed all his considerable skill in what could be his last collegiate game. In the Trojans' 32-18 win over Michigan in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, Jarrett caught 11 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns.
After the game he hadn't made up his mind about turning pro.
"That's the question everybody's asking me," he said. "I don't know yet."
A week later his coach, Pete Carroll, looked at his professional options, speaking with Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga about their vacant position. Carroll said on Tuesday that he was staying put. His star receiver, on the other hand, appears ready to make the leap to the NFL.
