Holland improves his chances to get into USC
by MATTHEW KREDELL
06/24/2006 12:00:00 AM PDT

Jamere Holland, who graduated from Taft of Woodland Hills on Thursday, thinks he will be able to qualify academically for USC in the fall after receiving a 3.17 grade point average in the just-completed semester.
"It's a sure thing that I'll get in for the fall," said Holland, a standout receiver. "I got the grades I wanted, so it's all good."

There is still the matter of getting his transcripts through USC and the NCAA Clearinghouse, which has proved difficult for many athletes with borderline academics in the past.

The Clearinghouse will look closely at fails Holland received last fall and back in his freshman year.

Holland became serious about academics this semester after USC coach Pete Carroll told him he could not receive any grade lower than a C.

He got tutoring for the first time, taking away from his track practice schedule, and finished with three A's, a B and two C's.

In the track postseason, junior college coaches often approached Holland with their cards in case "something goes wrong with USC."

"I think he'll be OK, but I'm not 100 percent sure," saidTaft track coach Brian Godsey, who kept a close eye on Holland's academics this year.

"I look forward to watching him go to the next level."

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