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USC Football: Trojans likely turning to Jack Sears at quarterback

By Dana Becker

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: Head coach Clay Helton of the USC Trojans calls for a touchdown during a video review late in the second quarter against the Washington State Cougars at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: Head coach Clay Helton of the USC Trojans calls for a touchdown during a video review late in the second quarter against the Washington State Cougars at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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It’s been a bit of a messy season for USC football, as the Trojans were hit with another injury this past weekend in a loss to Utah.

In fact, USC suffered two injuries at the same position, as both starting quarterback JT Daniels and backup Matt Fink were hurt. Daniels, a true freshman, won the job in the summer over both Fink and new starter Jack Sears.

Sears, who is a redshirt freshman, replaced former Trojan signal-caller Sam Darnold in high school. He has yet to attempt a pass this year for USC.

One benefit that the Trojans have over many other programs is their depth at key skill positions like quarterback. When most schools lose their No. 1, they see a huge drop-off in terms of talent. Fink, though, completed 6 of 7 for 43 yards and a touchdown, adding another 21 yards on the ground after replacing Daniels last week.

Sears will get the added boost of taking all the snaps in practice this week, as Daniels sits in the concussion protocol and Fink recovers from three broken ribs. Even the USC fourth-string quarterback, Holden Thomas, threw for over 3,000 yards his senior season in high school.

Clay Helton, head coach of the Trojans, did tell ESPN that the offense would be scaled back if Sears is inserted into the lineup. USC heads to Arizona State this Saturday.

"“We’re not going to try and reinvent the wheel,” Helton said. “We’re going to try and pick the plays that we think fit Arizona State’s defense; plays that we know.”"

Sears was once committed to Duke, but changed his mind to remain in California with USC after taking an unofficial visit his senior year. Like Daniels, he graduated early and enrolled in January 2017, but has been unable to crack the starting lineup.

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After replacing Darnold at San Clemente, Sears threw for over 2,600 yards his past two seasons with 37 touchdowns each year. He also ran for almost 2,000 more yards and 18 scores. His skills could give the Trojans more of a dual-threat quarterback than they are used to having under center.

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