Scott Felix Loses NCAA Appeal, Ending USC Football Career

USC football will be without Scott Felix in 2016, as the senior linebacker lost an NCAA appeal in regards to him testing positive for an illegal substance.

USC linebacker Scott Felix lost his appeal to be reinstated for the 2016 season after being suspended for the year for testing positive for a banned substance..

In a statement posted on Twitter, Felix apologized to his teammates, the coaching staff and USC fans for his “mistake” in taking an over-the-counter supplement which he believed to be legal without consulting USC’s medical staff first.

As a result, Felix failed a drug test and was suspended for his final season of eligibility.

“While this mistake was not done on purpose, I take full responsibility for my actions,” Felix wrote. “I have accepted my situation and am now looking forward to helping my teammates in any way that I can.”

Head coach Clay Helton has indicated that the Trojans are hoping to keep Felix around the team in some capacity, though that role is not yet known.

More from Reign of Troy

• Markese Stepp enters transfer portal intending to leave USC football
• USC football’s Alijah Vera-Tucker declares for NFL Draft
• USC football adds Xavion Alford as transfer from Texas
• USC Podcast: RoT Radio Ep. 396 on the Football Season’s Fallout
• Talanoa Hufanga named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, USC football with five first-teamers

“We are very appreciative of what Scott has done for our football team in his career,” Helton said.  “We are proud that he will continue to work on getting his degree and we will look for opportunities for him to stay involved with us in a support role in the fall.”

Felix started ten games in 2015 at the rush end position, logging 28 tackles with four sacks, which was second on the team. All told, he had 75 career tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss.

Though USC’s front seven is not the deepest unit on the team, especially in terms of experience, the Trojans are primed to deal with Felix’s absence with the emergence of Porter Gustin and Uchenna Nwosu this spring as ends in Clancy Pendergast’s 5-2 system. A healthy Jabari Ruffin as well as early enrollee Oluwole Betiku are also set to contribute this season, giving USC a strong group of outside rushers.