The injury news on JT Daniels was as bad as expected, leaving the USC Trojans in a difficult situation at quarterback.
Daniels suffered a torn ACL and meniscus after being sacked late in the first half of USC’s season-opening game Saturday night against Fresno State. The sophomore quarterback was the team’s best option at quarterback, with freshman Kedon Slovis serving as the backup.
Jack Sears, a redshirt sophomore from San Clemente, went 20/28 and passed for 235 yards and two touchdowns against Arizona State last season. Some thought he might be in the backup mix, but he entered the transfer portal after falling so far behind on the depth chart. Once Daniels got hurt, Trojans fans wondered whether Sears regretted his decision, and whether he would consider a return.
In a note posted to Twitter regarding his decision to enter the transfer portal, Sears said he had told Coach Clay Helton that he would be available if the team needed him.
If the plan doesn't work, change the plan, but never the goal.
The following statement is to clarify the situation and avoid speculation: pic.twitter.com/Ukv3CTR9vp
— Jack Sears (@jackpsears12) August 27, 2019
Helton told reporters after Saturday’s win that he had told Sears there would always be an open door for him.
Clay Helton says Jack Sears knows “there’s always an open door,” and Sears previously told Helton he’ll “always be here for you.”
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) September 1, 2019
USC still has last year’s backup, Matt Fink, behind Slovis, so they have a few options at quarterback. But it’s fair to wonder whether the Trojans will consider reaching out to Sears given the circumstances.
