USC Football: Who will be the Trojans’ starting QB in 2018?

With Sam Darnold now in the NFL, USC football must find a replacement under center. The three candidates have talent, but little experience.

It is always tough when a starting quarterback leaves a program. For USC, it is especially not easy to replace a quarterback like Sam Darnold. While he was only a starter for two seasons, 2017 being his only full year under center, Darnold leaves with his pinpoint accuracy and play making ability.

Behind Darnold, there is not much game experience. Only Matt Fink has any kind of game action and it is very limited. The spring was a learning experience for the quarterbacks and it did not include J.T. Daniels, who will arrive on campus this fall with high expectations.

Adding to coach Clay Helton’s tough decision are other factors. Helton’s younger brother Tyson is now the offensive coordinator at Tennessee after spending the last two seasons as the Trojan’s quarterback’s coach. Enter Bryan Ellis who was a quality control assistant for the Trojans last season. It will be interesting to see how the quarterbacks develop under Ellis’ tutelage.

Darnold is the biggest loss for the Trojans but by far not the only one on offense. Running back Ronald Jones II, wide receivers Deontay Burnett and Steven Mitchell Jr. are all gone. Also receiver Joseph Lewis has his legal issues and was suspended from the team, leaving his future as a Trojan in doubt.

USC will have a new look offense this fall. The sooner Helton names a starting quarterback, the better they will be at building chemistry. Here is our prediction at what the quarterback depth chart will look like this fall.