The first rat leaves the sinking ship

[Goober McTuber]

How many more will abandon USC? At least there’s another scholarship available.

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/n ... id=5287292

[Van]

Somehow, I don't think this one quite qualifies as a rat leaving a sinking ship. It's more like he's been handed a "get out of jail free" card...

Campbell's decision to leave the Trojans is especially interesting because of the circumstances surrounding his time at USC. A high school All-American out of Norco High who struggled to find playing time at USC during his three-year career, Campbell ended spring practice not officially on USC's roster due to a violation of head coach Lane Kiffin's newly instituted "zero-tolerance" policy.

Instead of being forced to sit out a season and thus forfeit his penultimate year of eligibility -- as would have happened if he decided to transfer even a month ago -- Campbell will be immediately eligible upon enrolling at his new school.

"I decided to transfer because it was a blessing in disguise," Campbell said by phone Monday. "The opportunity to go to any other school that I wanted to without sitting out a year -- that was awesome."

According to NCAA spokeswoman Stacy Osburn, any USC junior or senior is essentially allowed to re-open his recruiting process with only one caveat: the player's next school would have to submit an official waiver to the NCAA asking to waive the "year in residence," which would likely be approved.

In three years with the Trojans, Campbell starred primarily on special teams while earning just one start -- against Washington State in 2009. He led the Trojans in tackles against the Cougars with eight but sprained his ankle late in the game and missed the next three contests while recovering.

He said he lost his place in the depth chart because of the injury. By the time he was healthy, his spot was no longer available and he felt he had lost valuable competition time.

[Mace]

I think Petey was the first rat to leave the sinking ship. He found a lifeboat in Seattle and this kid will find one too.