Coast-to-coast move tough on Jarrett
By Scott Wolf
Staff Writer
Freshman receiver Dwayne Jarrett is USC's third-leading receiver, but the East Coast native said he has considered transferring after the season.
Jarrett, who is from New Jersey, has been homesick since training camp and said it's been rough adjusting to life without his family.
"After the season, if I'm still feeling good, I'll most likely be back," Jarrett said. "It's hard to get through things when you don't have family here.
"I wouldn't say that I think about it that much. It has crossed my mind, but I try not to think about negative things. If I did decide to do it, it wouldn't be to go home to a place like Rutgers. If I did think about it, a lot of East Coast schools offered me. If worse comes to worse, I have options but I'll try to stay positive and make it work."
Jarrett has caught 13 passes for 152 yards, but he also has dropped his share of passes, and there has been speculation his heart hasn't always been into football since he arrived at USC.
"I'm away from home. You have to grow up fast," Jarrett said. "Each day gets a little better. I wouldn't say I'm homesick, I'm all right now. It's hard not to think about it, though. Each day I think about it."
Because Jarrett is 6-foot-5, he has drawn numerous comparisons to former USC receiver Mike Williams.
"I'm under his shadow. Everyone compares me to him," Jarrett said. "It's like everyone expects things out of me. But that makes me work harder."
Jarrett, who also was offered scholarships by Ohio State, Miami and Iowa, among others, said he's hopeful he will remain at USC.
"My mom wants me to stick it out, and I'm here trying to do what I have to do," he said. "This is a great school, and I'm trying to stick it out."
