USC’s Baxter doesn’t deny being contacted by other schools

Before USC freshman tailback Dillon Baxter was suspended for the season opener against Hawaii, there was another incident that drew attention during the summer. Baxter claimed he was contacted by Washington, Oregon, Florida and Fresno State shortly after the NCAA announced sanctions against USC. It is against NCAA rules for a freshman to be contacted by other schools without receiving permission from USC. According to sources, Baxter did not tell USC’s compliance office but only told a coach. Once the story went public, it drew national attention. “I’m not really supposed to say anything really,” Baxter said. He did not, however, deny he was contacted by the other schools to try to change the story. Former USC athletic director Mike Garrett eventually wrote a letter to the other schools apologizing for Baxter’s claims. But sources said that was done primarily to bury the controversy. USC coach Lane Kiffin said he was not familiar with Garrett’s letter and could not comment about it. But he also did not deny Baxter’s claims. Two of the schools mentioned by Baxter (Washington, Fresno State) have close ties to Kiffin. — LA Daily News