USC coaches don't rule out freshman QB Sam Darnold as starter

USC quarterbacks coach Tyson Helton was asked Tuesday what he would tell fans who think the coaches would never start a redshirt freshman at quarterback in the season opener against Alabama.

“I would say. ‘Don’t ever put anything past anybody,’” Helton said. “The best player plays. Whether it’s redshirt freshman or a true freshman. You play him.”

Bold words in April, but at the moment USC is a long way off from starting freshman Sam Daold at quarterback. But the question is worth asking because Daold is neck-and-neck with junior Max Browne.

“(Daold’s) getting close (to leaing the whole playbook),” Helton said. “He needs more reps. (But) he finds guys even what he’s not quite sure. He has big vision.”

The irony is Browne also seems to be flourishing. USC coach Clay Helton said after watching video of Saturday’s practice that it was Browne’s best performance of the spring.

“Max has done a great job,” Tyson Helton said. “He’s in control and extremely smart.”

Daold draws attention for two reasons: Freshmen always make a splash in spring practices because they usually are relegated to the scout team during the season; and Daold keeps making big plays.

He ended Tuesday’s practice by dropping back and stepping up the middle to elude the rush and calmly finding wide receiver De’Quan Hampton for a 25-yard touchdown pass. He is not perfect. Daold was sacked twice Tuesday, which frustrated head coach Clay Helton.

Browne is the frontruer, but Tyson Helton said the coaches have not discussed who will start.

“We don’t even say, ‘We think this is the guy,’” Helton said. “We’re happy to have two quarterbacks that can win football games.”

After three seasons with Cody Kessler at quarterback, the receivers are also leaing the habits of both quarterbacks.

“Max’s strength is his timing on the ball,” wide receiver Steven Mitchell said. “Right as you get out of a route, the ball is right there. He’s very, very smart. He knows the offense like the back of his hand.

“With Daold, his arm is amazing, he has great zip on the ball. He can throw a great deep ball. He’s an athlete. It’s good to see a quarterback that can run. I didn’t know he was that fast.”

Another question is whether 15 spring practices are enough to make a decision.

“For us, it is enough,” Tyson Helton said.

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One unique aspect of the competition is that Browne and Daold are close friends off the field.

“We just hang out. It’s not like me and Max are going out on dates or anything,” Daold said. “We kind of joke about (the competition) but we don’t talk about it that much.”

Graham decommits

Coerback Thomas Graham of Rancho Cucamonga, who committed to USC last year, withdrew his commitment Tuesday. Graham, a Class of 2017 prospect, is also being recruited by UCLA, Notre Dame and Arizona, among others.

Emergency position switch

Wide receiver Ajene Harris, who redshirted last season following double hip surgery, practiced at coerback in case USC needs someone to switch from offense in an emergency. Harris has been impressive at wide receiver. Helton said wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster could switch to defense in an emergency, but that seems unlikely.