The USC Trojans will have a true freshman quarterback starting their season opener next weekend.
With Sam Darnold having departed for the NFL, USC has had a quarterback competition throughout camp. Jack Sears, Matt Fink, and J.T. Daniels all received snaps with the first team. The school announced on Sunday that Daniels has won the job and will be under center when the Trojans take on UNLV.
OFFICIAL: @USCCoachHelton named true freshman @jtdaniels06 the USC starting quarterback. #FightOn pic.twitter.com/uA5j73BMDX
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) August 27, 2018
USC head coach Clay Helton released a lengthy statement on his decision to go with Daniels.
USC’s Clay Helton has a great deal to say about his decision to start frosh JT Daniels, as you might expect pic.twitter.com/Fv91rkzQHo
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) August 27, 2018
Each quarterback in the camp battle also released a statement.
Statements from JT Daniels, Matt Fink and Jack Sears on USC’s QB decision: pic.twitter.com/PBWnDntA3a
— Joey Kaufman (@joeyrkaufman) August 27, 2018
Daniels is a 5-star recruit from Mater Dei High School in Southern California, the same school that produced former Trojan QBs Matt Leinart and Matt Barkley. He committed to the Trojans last year and enrolled in school in June.
The Trojans open the season ranked No. 15 in both the Associated Press and Coaches polls.
