LOS ANGELES -- Southern California's Dwayne Jarrett violated NCAA rules by not paying enough rent for the apartment he shared with Matt Leinart and was declared ineligible -- though the All-America receiver might not miss any playing time.
Jarrett must apply for reinstatement with the NCAA before he can play this season and he might have to repay several thousand dollars to Leinart's father, who paid most of the rent on the apartment.
NCAA spokesman Bob Williams said Friday a case like this can be resolved in three ways: A student-athlete can be denied reinstatement, regain eligibility with no conditions attached or be required to miss games and/or pay back the extra benefit.
"It depends on the particular circumstances involved in each case," Williams said.
USC's compliance office requested the NCAA's assistance in determining whether a violation had occurred because Jarrett paid less than half of what Leinart's father said was a $3,866-per-month
lease.
"We're aware that the NCAA has deemed this to be a violation of the extra benefit rule," USC spokesman Tim Tessalone said. "This summer, USC will apply for Jarrett's reinstatement of eligibility and hope for a decision prior to the start of the season."
USC officials began investigating the matter following a published report in late April that a possible violation had occurred.
Leinart's father, Bob, put the two players on the lease at a secured apartment complex downtown after Leinart moved out of his former residence near campus, where he was being hounded by fans.
Leinart and Jarrett each paid $650 a month, with Leinart's father paying $2,566 -- the difference of the monthly payment.
"The information submitted by the University of Southern California regarding the living arrangements of the two football student-athletes represents a violation of NCAA extra benefit rules," the NCAA said in a statement issued Thursday, adding that a reinstatement application from USC would be handled "in a timely matter."