USC Running Back Tre Madden Done For The Year

Following practice on Wednesday, USC head coach Steve Sarkisian said he planned to meet with Tre Madden and his parents on Thursday to discuss the redshirt junior's options for the remainder of the year.

After the meeting, Madden, who has not played this season due to a turf toe injury that occurred right before the season began, and his family have decided his best option is to sit out the entire season, according to the OC Register.

Michael Lev talked with Tre's father, Curtis Madden, who said Tre would be seeing a foot specialist to determine the best course of treatment and rehab. Tre Madden came back from the injury two weeks ago, but lasted only one practice and was visibly discouraged after not being able to do much because of the injury.

"We’re moving forward," Tre’s father, Curtis Madden, said by phone. "It’s disappointing that he’s not going to be able to contribute this season. But there’s next year and the year after that."

Because Tre redshirted in 2012 after tearing his ACL, he is not eligible to redshirt this season. He has one year of eligibility remaining. However, he could apply for a medical hardship waiver and potentially extend his "five-year clock" that NCAA athletes have to complete four seasons of competition and therefore, receive a sixth season of eligibility.

Tre Madden currently fits all the criteria for a medical hardship waiver: the injury was incapacitating, it occurred in the first half of the season before 20 percent of the season was completed and the injury will be supported by medical documentation.

According to Lev's report, Tre will earn a degree in communication in May. If he does graduate in May, he could conceivably earn a Master's degree with a sixth year of eligibility. But first Tre will look to get healthy and be ready to compete for carries next season.

With leading rusher Buck Allen set to graduate in May as well and already being 23-years old, it is highly conceivable Allen will enter the NFL Draft early after this season. That would leave Madden and Justin Davis as the only scholarship running backs on the roster (pending the 2015 recruiting class, which currently has three-star Texas rusher Aca'cedric Ware committed).

In that case, Madden and fullback Soma Vainuku would need to be the power rushers while Davis could fill the quick, elusive back role. According to his dad, Tre Madden just wants to show his abilities like he did in the first five games of 2013 when he rushed for 583 yards and six touchdowns.

"He wants to show he’s capable of being the type of running back he (was) at the beginning of last year," Curtis Madden said.