SOWARD DECIDES TO STAY; TROJANS RECEIVER HAD MONEY WOES.

Byline: Scott Wolf Daily News Staff Writer

USC's version of Dennis Rodman has returned.

Wide receiver R. Jay Soward, who disappeared from the Trojans' football program and did not attend conditioning workouts for several weeks, has resurfaced just in time for spring practice, which begins Friday.

Soward said Wednesday he needed some time off to re-evaluate his options, and considered applying for the NFL's supplemental draft before deciding to rejoin the Trojans.

``I was just thinking about my whole situation,'' Soward said. ``I wasn't really happy at that period in time. I was unhappy financially. Walking around, not having anything in my pocket. I didn't like that.''

Soward, who could be a preseason All-American, said he has experienced a turbulent spring semester at USC, because he was forced to move out of his apartment in December and has stayed on and off with friends the past three months.

``It was like I was living out of my car, truthfully,'' Soward said. ``My clothes were in the trunk. Football was last in my mind. It was hard to find me. Most of the time, (the coaches) were looking for me.''

For the majority of Soward's AWOL period, even his father had no idea where he was living or what he would decide to do.

Soward said once he began skipping football workouts, it became even harder for him to return.

``I was scared. Maybe that's why I didn't come,'' he said. ``I just knew I was going to get kicked off the football team or not play for the first three games.''

Although USC coach Paul Hackett suspended Soward from last year's season opener against Purdue for poor academic performance, he sounded almost conciliatory Wednesday.

``I think he's been through a tough spring,'' Hackett said. ``The decision (to return for his senior season) was a tough decision and after he made it, there might have been some second thoughts.''

Hackett also stressed that Soward missed nonmandatory conditioning drills. No other player probably has the clout to skip such workouts and return relatively unscathed.

Hackett said he did not want to overreact to Soward's absence, because players from the John Robinson era are still adjusting to his coaching methods.

``I don't view that as being soft (on Soward), I view it as being prudent,'' Hackett said.

Asked if Soward would be punished for his prolonged absence from the Trojans, Hackett said, ``We will handle that within the team.''

Soward, who has been running extra laps in conditioning sessions this week, was optimistic he would not be suspended from any games.

``I don't think there's going to be any disciplinary action,'' he said. ``It wasn't like I missed any days of practice.''

Soward said he feels his first priority is to regain the respect of his teammates.

``I treated the whole team unfairly,'' Soward said. ``I want to regain everybody's trust.''

Particularly if he can avoid any future references to Rodman.

``I'm not that drastic,'' Soward said.

Notes: Hackett has offered the tight-ends coaching position to former Washington assistant coach Steve Morton. However, Morton interviewed for the head-coaching job at North Dakota on Wednesday.

Morton cannot be paid by USC until July 1, so if he agrees to take the job in the spring, he will have to be a volunteer assistant.

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PHOTO (Color) SOWARD