2018 UNLV Tuesday: Notes

With the depth chart released and the QB announced, the 2018 Trojans are starting to take shape.

USC head coach Clay Helton provided a comprehensive injury report to begin the first game week: LB Palaie Gaoteote (out this week as he rehabs his knee), DL Liam Jimmons (out with turf toe), C Toa Lobendahn (held out of practice with a pec strain), RB Markese Stepp (still in concussion protocol), WR Josh Imatorbhebhe (ankle), TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe (quad), TE Austin Applebee (mono), OL Jordan Austin (pec strain) and TE Josh Falo (left practice with a hamstring).

OLB Porter Gustin returned to practice just a couple weeks after knee surgery. Helton said that the medical staff will see how the knee responds to practice before clearing him for the opening game.

DB Ykili Ross will spend the semester focusing on academics, so that he can grad transfer. DB Je'Quari Godfrey will also transfer out of the program.

Helton reiterated that JT Daniels was named the starting quarterback because he thrived during the live scrimmage portions of practice. "That's where we thought JT shined," Helton said.

Daniels received the good news from Helton on Sunday in a face-to-face meeting. "I was very excited and super honored that Coach Helton gave me the privilege to take ownership of this team," Daniels said. "But I've still got a lot more work to do. Still haven't played a game yet. Very honored, but there's a lot more to go."

While Daniels and fellow freshman Amon-Ra St. Brown are looking forward to bringing their high school connection to the college level, they reacted like veterans to the news. "We didn't really celebrate," St. Brown said. "We just FaceTimed real quick, and that was about it. I was like 'congrats on winning the job, let's go get it,' and he was like 'let's go.'"

St. Brown helped Daniels's cause by catching three of his TD tosses during the Coliseum scrimmage. "As you've all seen, Amon-Ra's about as good as it gets," Daniels said. "Coming out of high school and being able to compete with the top dogs at USC. And knowing Amon-Ra as long as I have and having that sort of connection, it's really special. I always know where Amon's gonna be, he knows where I'm gonna put it and we're just gonna keep building off that connection."

The much-hyped St. Brown is not reading his own press. "It's nice, but I gotta stay humble, keep my head level, and try to do as much as I can for the team because at the end of the day, the team's first, and I'm gonna do whatever I can for the team," he said.

Both freshmen expect to feel first game jitters on Saturday. "College atmosphere is obviously a lot bigger than high school, but playing at a competitive high school, playing football all my life, at the end of the day, football is still football," Daniels said. "It's still the same sport. Still doing the same thing, just at a different level, in a different stadium. Just gonna breathe and stay calm, get used to it, get in the flow, and I don't think it'll be that big of a deal."

While St. Brown is not listed as a starter at wide receiver, he did win the punt return job. "I'm excited for that," he said. "I did it in high school, obviously, but to do it in college is going to be something new for me. A bigger crowd, higher punts, so I'm going to have to do a good job of feeling the ball, but I'm excited."

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