April 13--USC could soon have a quarterback. Maybe.
Coach Clay Helton said Tuesday that he plans to name a starting quarterback well before fall camps begins, though he left open the possibility that the decision could stretch longer.
When asked directly when he would pick a starter, Helton said, "It'll be shortly after the spring game," which USC will hold Saturday.
He soon added,"if I feel there's a huge gap."
Through 13 spring practices, Max Browne, a redshirt junior, has competed with redshirt freshman Sam Darnold for the job.
A quicker decision could indicate encouraging news for Browne. Both quarterbacks have said Browne's experience gave him the early advantage entering spring practice. Browne said he came into the spring thinking he could win the job before fall camp.
"If it happens it happens, if it doesn't it doesn't," Browne said after Tuesday's practice. "But that was my mind-set coming into spring."
Helton said he hasn't seen enough separation from either quarterback to name a starter going into the spring game. He said he will "have a gut feeling" after evaluating how each quarterback reacts to the pressure of playing in front of a crowd and on television,
"I promise you I'm going to have a decision before that first game" against Alabama in September, Helton said. "We're not playing two quarterbacks."
Follow Zach Helfand on Twitter @zhelfand
