Leinart’s dilemma: stay or go to NFL

AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES — Take a job and become an instant multimillionaire or stay in school and collect $895 a month for another year.

To Matt Leinart, that’s a dilemma.

‘‘It’s tough when you have so many people telling you, ’The money’s there, take it.’ Then your friends and other people say, ’But the money could be there in a year, what’s another 10 months?‘‘’ USC’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback said Tuesday.

The NFL deadline for college underclassmen to declare for the draft is Saturday, but Leinart said he expects to announce Thursday whether he’ll return for his senior season.

He said Tuesday that he’s still on the fence, and may not decide until the last minute — or beyond.

Asked what he’ll be doing leading up to his announcement, Leinart shook his head and said, ‘‘A lot of praying. I’m going to go with what my gut tells me and what I feel at the time. Who knows, I might be one way when I’m going in to announce, and when I’m up there, I’ll change.’’

After leading the Trojans to consecutive national titles, Leinart is fully aware of the risks of playing another year for them. An injury or a less successful season could drop him in the NFL draft and cost him millions of dollars.

Two outstanding junior quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers of California and Alex Smith of Utah, already have declared for this year’s draft.

Leinart doesn’t seem eager to end his college days.

‘‘It is a business and I don’t know if I’m ready for that,’’ he said of the NFL.‘‘College, it’s fun. We get stipend checks, that’s our money.”

live with our friends, just hang out and have fun. College is the best time of your life, and I think the situation I’m in, it really couldn’t get any better being here.’’

The $895 monthly stipend for athletes is supposed to cover everything but their training table meals.

Although Leinart believes he’s accomplished about everything he can as college quarterback, there’s one team goal remaining that may factor in his decision. The Trojans could become the first team to win three consecutive national titles.

‘‘Sometimes my heart’s like, come back. This is just so great here, and a chance to do something no team has ever done before,’’ he said. ‘‘I look at it as a win-win situation for me. If I leave, I’m fulfilling my dream to play in the NFL, to get a shot and try to do that.

‘‘Or I stay in school and be here with something that’s real special that’s going on, the start of a dynasty. I know that’s kind of a bold statement, but it’s just obvious what we’re doing here and what coach (Pete) Carroll is doing. I’m pretty sure coach Carroll plans on staying around to be a part of this.’’

Although there has been speculation that an NFL team might try to lure Carroll back to the league, he said recently that he’s not interested in leaving USC.

Trojans linebacker Lofa Tatupu and punter Tom Malone also are expected to announce Thursday whether they will leave school early.

Even if Leinart and those two do turn pro, USC still should be loaded next season since most of the starters return. Waiting in the wings is quarterback John David Booty, a third-year sophomore from Louisiana who is considered a better prospect than Leinart was when he took over for 2002 Heisman winner Carson Palmer.

And the Trojans already have a verbal commitment from one of the top high school quarterbacks, Mark Sanchez from Mission Viejo, Calif.

Leinart has received advice from, among many others, Palmer and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

After winning the Heisman in his senior season, Palmer was taken by the Cincinnati Bengals with the No. 1 pick in the 2003 draft. Roethlisberger, the 2004 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, left Miami (Ohio) after his junior year and was taken by the Steelers with the 11th pick last spring. He received a $9 million bonus and earned some $2.9 million in salary and performance money.

‘‘It almost seems like an easy decision to people outside of USC, ’Why stay when you can be a top pick?’ But it’s really a lot harder than it seems to make the decision. There are so many pros and cons to both decisions,’’ said Leinart, who began classes on Monday and could complete requirements for his sociology degree this semester.

‘‘Whatever I do, I’m going to be happy with my decision and move on from there.’’

He threw for 3,322 yards and 33 touchdowns this season, capping it in grand fashion with an Orange Bowl record five touchdown passes in the Trojans’ 55-19 victory over Oklahoma.