Earlier this week, Clay Helton had the following to say when it comes to the quarterback competition between favorite Max Browne (pictured) and surging Sam Darnold.
“I’m going to let it go through the spring game and then make a decision,” the USC head coach said Tuesday. “Just being honest, I don’t think there’s a huge gap between the quarterbacks. I want to take it to the spring game, that atmosphere, and see how the guys react.”
A couple of days later? Never mind. From the Orange County Register:USC coach Clay Helton clarified his stance on the quarterback competition Thursday and said he might not name a starter until two weeks into August training camp.
Helton said Tuesday he would name a starter “shortly” after Saturday’s spring game at the Coliseum. But Helton said he realized he misspoke after he was questioned about news reports by his wife, Angela, that he would name a starter next week.
“Unless there is a huge gap, it will go to (training) camp,” Helton said.
The last two seasons as Cody Kessler’s primary backup, the redshirt junior Browne completed 11-of-19 passes for 143 yards. Darnold, meanwhile, was a four-star dual-threat quarterback in the Class of 2015 who took a redshirt as a true freshman last season.
This season, USC will open against defending national champion Alabama in Arlington, Tex.