LOS ANGELES -- USC had one scholarship left, and it essentially came down to linebacker Will Andrew and punter Kyle Negrete.

Andrew played last season on scholarship after starting his Trojans career as a walk-on; Negrete punted all of last season as a walk-on.

USC coach Lane Kiffin ended up giving Negrete the scholarship on Sunday, and Andrew is currently without one. But it wasn't a complete surprise to Andrew -- he knew going into the season there was a distinct possibility his 2011 scholarship wouldn't extend into 2012.

"I knew it was for sure a one-year deal, with a possibility of a renewal if something were to happen," Andrew said. "But Coach Kiff was honest with me from the start, so I knew when the time came there was a 50-50 chance and it didn't go my way."

It appears they may still be an opportunity for Andrew to get back on scholarship, if incoming receiver Darreus Rogers is not cleared by the NCAA Eligibility Center within the next 16 days. But Andrew, a Huntington Beach native, said Wednesday he doesn't worry about what he can't control.

"That's not up to me," he said. "That's the coaches' decision."

He said the move gave him some needed perspective.

"I was somewhat disappointed, but it made me realize the big picture of things," Andrew said when asked about his initial feelings. "It made me realize that I have a great supporting family and I'm very blessed that my family has worked very hard throughout their life to have the opportunity to pay tuition here at USC."

Andrew, a redshirt junior, is scheduled to graduate in the spring but is interested in coming back for a fifth year in 2013. That could depend on his role with this year's team. It looks like he'll be a potential special-teams contributor and reserve linebacker for the Trojans this season.

"I gotta still continue to work hard on defense and special teams because anything can happen in a game, and I'm just continuing to prepare the way I always have," Andrew said. "Whatever happens, I'll be ready."