SOURCES: WILLIAMS LEANING TOWARD ENTERING NFL DRAFT.

Byline: Scott Wolf  Staff Writer

USC receiver Mike Williams is leaning toward making himself for the NFL draft, according to sources, although he refused to commit to a final decision Tuesday.

Williams did not speak to anyone at USC by Tuesday evening and has not participated in any winter conditioning workouts for the past 10 days, which could make it tough for the sophomore, no matter what decision he makes.

``It's going to get difficult for Mike to get prepared (for the draft),'' USC coach Pete Carroll said. ``I made a long pitch last night that he needs to get started if he's going to the NFL. He's gone over a week without doing what he's supposed to do.''

With little in the situation changing, Carroll called a team meeting Tuesday to discuss Williams and the new atmosphere surrounding underclassmen entering the draft.

``Just to make sure everyone knows what's going on with the NFL,'' Carroll said. ``In essence, it does affect things. Some day down he road, it may affect the other guys.

``Mike's got some issues he's taking care of. He's got to get his mind straight on what he's doing. I'm being real proactive with it. I need to know this stuff better than anybody else. If (the players are) not informed, they can have opinions that aren't well-founded.''

Further complicating matters, Carroll leaves today for vacation for the rest of the week, so there won't be any more lengthy face-to-face meetings like the ones Friday and Monday.

USC quarterback Matt Leinart, who immediately becomes the Trojans' cover boy if Williams turns pro, attended the team meeting and said he stood behind Williams whether he returns to USC or not.

``We were just discussing the whole issue of Mike Williams and the draft. Mike's having a hard time and we support him and that's it,'' Leinart said.

Scott Wolf, [phone]

scott.wolf(at)dailynews.com