Surprise!

Joe McKnight shocked LSU by running off to the Trojans

IN PURSUING Joe McKnight, the nation's top-rated running back, USC seemed to be at a disadvantage to LSU for two reasons: time (USC brings back four quality runners and has commitments from two more) and place ( McKnight is from River Ridge, La.). But McKnight says, "I just wanted to see what it's like in another part of the country." And the lure of USC may have been irresistible for a 6-foot 180-pounder called "the next Reggie Bush." Last week the two were less favorably linked-- McKnight said (and later denied) that USC had set up a phone call with Bush during his recruitment, which would be an NCAA violation. But that's unlikely to stop McKnight (below) from setting up a new home in the Trojans' backfield.