USC Trojans receiver Markeith Ambles likely ineligible for 2011 season

The Markeith Ambles saga took another sordid turn on Tuesday after it was learned that the USC sophomore will likely be ineligible to play for the Trojans in 2011.

Ambles, a former four-star recruit and a member of head coach Lane Kiffin's 2010 inaugural recruiting class, has had his share of ups and downs since joining the program last year.  At one point last season, he left the program, received a suspension and was expected to transfer; he ended up having a change of heart and returned to the team in January.

The 6-foot-2 wideout had hoped to raise his grades this summer so that he would qualify for the 2011 college football season. However, Kiffin indicated Tuesday that Ambles had not raised his grades enough to be eligible.

"We're just trying to figure out what's the best plan with Markeith," Kiffin said Tuesday. "We've got to sit down and figure it out, but we're trying to focus on the guys that are out here first."

Ambles likely will decide in the coming months whether to pursue a transfer or redshirt for the 2011 season.

Fortunately for the Trojans, USC’s corps of wide receivers is perhaps the deepest of any position on the team, with super-sophomore Robert Woods leading the pack and Brice Butler, Kyle Prater and five-star recruit George Farmer all vying for time at the position.

© 2011 Neal J. Leitereg -- All Rights Reserved