As USC’s timetable for deciding on a starting quarterback came into focus Tuesday, where all the participants stand in the competition became blurrier.
Offensive coordinator Graham Harrell couldn’t help but let out a chuckle when asked if the team was actually going to wait until the Friday before the season opener to announce a starting quarterback.
“I don’t think you go that far,” he laughed.
What isn’t a laughing matter is still not having a quarterback separate himself from the rest of the pack -- that, of course, includes returning starter JT Daniels. Just four training camp practices in, and three-and-a-half weeks out from when USC will host Fresno State, Harrell said he needs more time.
"When you’ve only got four practices, you have a limited amount of film to go on," Harrell said. "But we got to figure out who’s playing best or we think is going to be playing best come Aug. 31. Obviously you’re going to have to make a decision of who the guy is before that point, but I think you have to get closer to that point to see who’s playing the best at that time and who gives you the best chance to win a football game."
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That could be made clear before the end of camp. As they were in spring, the 11-on-11 reps through four practices have been divided almost equally between all four quarterbacks. Part of the reasoning for this, Harrell explained, is to allow each QB to build chemistry with all the receivers, adding that after “at least a week, week and a half,” the reps will be narrowed down to two guys, if not given predominantly to one. A year ago, USC’s QB competition remained open until the week of the first game.
