USC FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: PRACTICE GETS ADDED MAYO.

Byline: SCOTT WOLF Staff Writer

USC officially added another tailback Saturday as the Trojans ended practice with chants of ``O.J., O.J., O.J.''

No, O.J. Simpson did not make another appearance; however, the basketball team got a surprise when O.J. Mayo, the nation's No. 1 recruit, made an impromptu campus visit and watched football practice while wearing a USC T-shirt.

As usual, USC coach Pete Carroll masterfully coordinated the welcome for Mayo. Carroll brought Mayo to the post-practice huddle and told the recruit that when he arrived at USC, he needed to rebuild the football program.

Mayo has told friends he wants to turn USC into a national power, much like Patrick Ewing transformed Georgetown in the early 1980s.

Mayo's also told USC athletes since July he would become a Trojan, but he did not officially commit Saturday.

``I'll make my decision before the end of the year,'' Mayo said.

Mayo also threw passes with his friend, 6-foot-9 center Aaron Pogue, who is visiting USC this weekend.

As for his reception from the football team, Mayo said, ``It was great and exciting.''

If that was not enough, Carroll also did something he probably envisioned a year ago, when he moved freshman safety Allen Bradford to tailback for an indefinite amount of time.

There's been a school of thought that Bradford could be the best of the freshman tailbacks but the Colton High graduate wanted to play safety, until Carroll spoke to him during lunch on Saturday.

Bradford admitted he's probably a better running back right now than safety.

The official reason for the switch is because Chauncey Washington remains out with a pulled hamstring and Michael Coleman is not fully recovered from two hip operations.

But it's no secret Carroll's always coveted Bradford at tailback.

Freshman safety Taylor Mays spent the past week working with Bradford in the secondary and said, ``He probably was the best two-way player in the country last year. He can play both spots.''

Bradford will get his first live experience tonight when the Trojans hold their second scrimmage.

Reed report: Tailback Desmond Reed was in San Francisco on Saturday, where he was examined by his surgeon, Arthur Ting, to determine if the nerve in his leg grew back properly following knee surgery. Ting is the father of former USC players Brandon and Ryan Ting.

Offensive guard Chilo Rachal won't be back before Monday after being kicked in the head Friday.

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COLLEGE HALL OF FAME INDUCTION

Former USC tailback Anthony Davis (1972-74) shows off his arm at Saturday's induction ceremony in South Bend, Ind.

Joe Raymond/Associated Press