USC guard gets extra year: What's better than nine of 11 offensive starters returning in 2009?
Try 10 of 11.
That's the tantalizing prospect awaiting USC after the NCAA granted senior guard Jeff Byers a sixth year of eligibility. Byers said Friday he plans to use it to be part of a unit he believes can become "one of the most prolific offenses in college football history."
The odds of that happening improve greatly if quarterback Mark Sanchez returns. He has said he will make his NFL draft decision sometime after the Jan. 1 Rose Bowl vs. Penn State.
Byers joked that if Sanchez leaves, "I'm going to kick his butt."
Byers then got serious.
"He's got to do what's best for him,"
Byers said. "And hopefully what's best for him is what's best for the Trojans."
After discussing his decision at length with his coaches and parents, Byers decided it was in his best interest to stay in school for another season.
He missed all but one game in 2005 and '06 because of injuries and a large chunk of training camp this season due to illness.
Returning also will give him a chance to finish his master's degree in business.
