Larry Brown Sports

USC did on Saturday what its become most known for in the sports world recently: win big in football, and have some players accused of violating NCAA rules.

The LA Times published a report on Saturday alleging that Scott Schenter, a corrupt figure in the LA city assessor’s office, provided ex-Trojan athletes Joe McKnight and Davon Jefferson with improper benefits. McKnight, a former running back now in the NFL with the Jets, is accused of being provided with a car and plane ticket by Schenter. Jefferson, a former basketball player, reportedly accepted $3,700 in cash.

The school plans to investigate the claims and could be subject to NCAA penalties.

Schenter has been charged for his role in a scandal where he allegedly offered tax breaks to folks in exchange for campaign contributions to Assessor John Noguez.

The Times uncovered emails from Schenter to Mercury Insurance that suggest he was insuring a Monte Carlo for McKnight to drive. They also found a receipt for an airline ticket purchased by Schenter for a passenger named “Joe McKnight,” who was flying to Louisiana — which is where McKnight is from.

Schenter told the times he provided the car to McKnight and cash to Jefferson.

McKnight was at the center of a car scandal in 2009 while in school when he was seen with a Land Rover. The car was registered to Schenter, but McKnight claimed it was his girlfriend’s car (which LBS has been told is actually true).

Schenter was doing what so many others do: trying to pay the athletes so that they would help him out. Schenter wanted them to help market some businesses he was developing. Sound familiar? That’s similar to what happened with Reggie Bush.

As for the entire situation, if you dig deep enough at probably any D-I school, you’ll find the exact same thing. I actually would have been surprised if McKnight weren’t getting some “improper benefits.” The problem is if you’re going to accept things, it’s with the understanding that you’re getting involved with people who have some loose morals and could therefore get you into trouble.

When Joe McKnight heads into Jets minicamp this summer, he will be looking to compete for significant playing time in the backfield. With LaDanian Tomlinson out of the picture, McKnight could become the primary backup to Shonne Greene if he impresses Tony Sparano and company. He’s hoping the 16 pounds he gained from eating fast food will help.

According to Manish Mehta of the NY Daily News, McKnight says he gained 16 pounds by eating “A lot of McDonald’s.” Does that mean it’s 16 pounds of muscle or fat?

“I was eating healthy, but the majority of time I was eating bad,” McKnight added. “I wasn’t eating all the right stuff … like Tim Tebow.”

Should we assume the Tebow comment was intended to distract people from the fast food diet? When the Jets starred on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” during the 2010 offseason, McKnight was shown on the show failing the team’s conditioning test. The last thing he needs in his life is Ronald McDonald. Hopefully the saturated fat from a Big Mac translates into solid, bruising muscle on the gridiron.

Joe McKnight’s career path has been far from what anyone could have expected. Recruited out of high school in Louisiana, McKnight was billed as “the next Reggie Bush.” He came to USC and never emerged from a talented, crowded backfield in Southern California. After a controversy over an SUV (which sources told LBS did in fact belong to his girlfriend), McKnight decided to leave school early for the pros. He was drafted in the 4th round by the Jets and has only seen carries in one game, back in week four against the Bills.

The subject of ridicule during HBO’s Hard Knocks training camp show, McKnight is now finding action as a defensive back. Coach Rex Ryan says McKnight has been working as a corner back — a position in which he excelled during high school — and that he will likely serve as an emergency, number five DB on Sunday. Ryan further boosted McKnight’s ego saying the rookie is “ready to explode” as a running back. Nothing like instilling some confidence in a young player. I don’t know about you, but I’m really hoping we get a chance to see McKnight play on the other end.

Photo Credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images