LOS ANGELES — Southern California freshman Frankie Telfort has a heart problem that will prevent him from playing for the Trojans.

Telfort, a 17-year-old Miami native and considered one of the top linebacker prospects in the country, has been diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy — a serious genetic heart condition. USC couldn’t clear Telfort to play after examinations by several top heart specialists in Los Angeles and another opinion from the Minneapolis Heart Institute.
Coach Pete Carroll says that while the news was difficult for Telfort, his family and the program, all are thankful the doctors discovered the problem before it led to anything worse.
USC will honor Telfort’s full scholarship.