Freshman receiver Markeith Ambles suspended


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USC freshman wide receiver Markeith Ambles has been suspended indefinitely from the team because of late arrivals to several mandatory team functions, sources said.

The 6-2, 215-pound Ambles, a native of McDonough, Georgia, has not made much of an impact in his first year with the Trojans, totaling only one catch for 3 yards in the four games he’s appeared in. That catch came in a blowout win against the 1-7 Washington State Cougars.

Head coach Lane Kiffin had originally planned to redshirt Ambles, but was unable to do so because of Ambles’ participation in the season opener at Hawaii.

The suspension is not the first time that USC has disciplined Ambles for being late. During a pre-season practice in August, Ambles was one of two USC players, alongside fellow freshman Dillon Baxter, who spent the entire session doing “rollovers.”

Kiffin said the reason for the punishment was “tardiness.”

Ambles was the fourth ranked wide receiver in ESPNU’s 2010 class and 23rd ranked player overall. He originally committed to Lane Kiffin during the coach’s time at the University of Tennessee but changed his commitment when Kiffin left Knoxville to replace Pete Carroll at USC.

The freshman wideout did not practice Tuesday and has not yet commented on the suspension. With the emergence of Robert Woods and Kyle Prater waiting in the wings, it may become difficult for Ambles to find playing time as the Trojans move forward.