Unlike a lot of the competitions across the country, we actually have a specific timeline for one to actually name a starting quarterback.
USC exited the spring with neither the favorite Max Browne (pictured) nor surging Sam Darnold grabbing the starting job by the throat. The two will resume the competition in summer camp early next month, with Browne holding an edge in the here and now.
At the Pac-12 Media Days Thursday, head coach Clay Helton indicated that he will name a starter after the Trojans have completed 18 camp practices, a number that would put the team two weeks out from its Sept. 3 opener against defending national champion Alabama.
“I think it’ll be sufficient time to name a starting quarterback,” Helton said of his timeline.
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.