USC football: T.J. McDonald will return for senior season
USC safety T.J. McDonald announced Wednesday that he would forgo the opportunity to make himself available for the NFL draft and return to USC for his senior season.
McDonald, named to several All-America teams, said he seriously pondered turning pro, but reconsidered once he returned home to Fresno after finals.
“I was gone,” he said in a phone interview. “I was ready to chase my dream and go to the NFL and take that on.
“But I started to remember all the reasons I came to 'SC — why I play football, being a competitor and being passionate about the game. I want to finish what I started.”
Juniors Matt Kalil and Nick Perry have said that they will make themselves available for the April draft, leaving quarterback Matt Barkley as the only prominent Trojans junior still deciding.
Players have until mid-January to declare for the draft.
More later at latimes.com/sports.
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Photo: T.J. McDonald brings down UCLA's Kevin Prince. Credit: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times
