COLLEGE FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : USC’s Johnson Wants to Play for Jets

USC receiver Keyshawn Johnson was asked by friends and family for his thoughts on the NFL draft.

“I told them, ‘J-E-T-S--Jets,’ ” Johnson said in a phone interview with Newsday.

The New York Jets are on the clock for the next 4 1/2 months. They own the No. 1 pick in the draft, and they need a big-play receiver in the worst way. Johnson wants to be that guy.

“I would love to play for the New York Jets,” said Johnson, who set a Rose Bowl record with 216 receiving yards Monday against Northwestern. “It’s not because they have the No. 1 pick, although that would be important financially, but because I’d love to bring them back to where they belong. Just like I did at USC. I helped them back to national prominence.”

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John Blake decided while preparing for the Dallas Cowboys’ next game and thinking about all he had to do for the Oklahoma Sooners that two teams was one too many.

Blake, 34, announced he would be leaving the Cowboys immediately to concentrate on his new job as head coach of the Sooners. He was hired Sunday to replace Howard Schnellenberger, who resigned Dec. 18.

“Establishing an immediate presence in recruiting and completing a coaching staff are my primary concerns at this time,” Blake said in a prepared statement. “Those are responsibilities that require full-time attention.”

Blake said later in a telephone interview from his Cowboys’ office that he made up his mind Monday while he was watching films for the upcoming game with the Philadelphia Eagles.

He also was thinking of his new job back at Oklahoma, recruiting, talking to administrators, hiring coaches and other duties.

“The defensive linemen are already ready to play,” Blake said. But he has a “whole lot to do in Oklahoma.”

“My heart and responsibility is truly in getting Oklahoma started out right,” Blake said.

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North Carolina offensive coordinator Darrell Moody, 47, has resigned. The Tar Heels were 7-5 after a 20-10 victory over Arkansas in the Carquest Bowl.