Jarrett, Smith downplay USC jinx

0 Comments | USA TODAY, April, 2007 | by Greg Boeck

During interviews with NFL personnel at February's Indianapolis combine, two prospects were asked the inevitable question: Why haven't celebrated Southern California wide receivers made more of an impact in the NFL in the last few years?

Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith had the same answer: We're not Mike Williams. After a failed effort to be included in the 2004 draft following his sophomore year and an unsuccessful attempt to restore his NCAA eligibility, Williams sat out 2004 and has struggled in his first two seasons in the NFL.

"I told them the only thing we have in common is we went to the same school," says Jarrett, who left USC after his junior season.

Says Smith, "I'm my own player."

Together the two accounted for 6,157 yards...