USC FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: REINFORCING BUSH'S DECISION.

Byline: Scott Wolf  Staff Writer

Not that there were any doubts, but even Tuesday's main speaker for USC's NFL seminar advised junior tailback Reggie Bush to turn pro early.

USC coach Pete Carroll held his long-awaited presentation to advise underclassmen about the perils of turning pro early and the meeting got off to an interesting start when Carroll's close friend, NFL analyst Pat Kirwan, told Bush he should leave USC and make himself available for the NFL Draft.

Kirwan, a co-worker of Carroll's with the New York Jets, also met individually with Bush, offensive tackle Winston Justice and safety Darnell Bing, three of USC's top prospects for leaving school early.

The other speaker was Joe Mendes, a former vice president of football operations with the Washington Redskins. Mendes also worked as a consultant for player agents and knew Carroll when he worked with the New England Patriots.

Carroll said a topic of discussion was where players would be selected in the draft.

``We don't have the final say from the NFL but we have information from sources and analysis,'' he said. ``Ideally, I want my team to understand it better than anyone else.

``We're going to teach the freshmen as well. It's not just a statement about who's going to go and who's not going to go.''

--Leinart ineligible: The NCAA temporarily ruled quarterback Matt Leinart ineligible after he made promotional tapes for a TV or radio station, which is against NCAA rules.

USC did not identify the media outlet Leinart made the promotional announcement for, but knew about the infraction for at least a week.

As a condition of reinstatement, the NCAA prevented Leinart from speaking to the media until after Christmas.

--Bush honored: Bush was named The Sporting News' Player of the Year, a day after he received a similar honor from the Associated Press.

Bush, receiver Dwayne Jarrett and offensive guard Taitusi Lutui were named first-team All-Americans by the Sporting News. Leinart was named to the second team.

Kicker Troy Van Blarcom and safety Kevin Ellison were named to The Sporting News' all-freshman Pacific-10 Conference team.

--Injury update: Receiver Patrick Turner and linebacker Keith Rivers returned to practice and are cleared to play in the Rose Bowl after being out several weeks with pulled hamstrings.

Linebacker Thomas Williams (knee) remains questionable. Tailback Michael Coleman, originally scheduled for hip surgery this month, continues to improve and might be available for the game.

Scott Wolf, [phone]

scott.wolf(at)dailynews.com