2019 Mock Game Tuesday: Notes

The Trojans practiced in full pads on Tuesday as their season opener against Fresno State draws nearer.

USC head coach Clay Helton named sophomore JT Daniels the starting quarterback for the season opener against Fresno State. Freshman Kedon Slovis is second on the depth chart, followed by redshirt junior Matt Fink and redshirt sophomore Jack Sears.

Helton said Daniels' consistency helped him win the starting job. "He did a wonderful job within the system from his accuracy, his decision making, getting the ball out on rhythm, and just being consistent every day," Helton explained.

Daniels' attitude during the competition also impressed Helton and the coaching staff. "For him to walk into it very humble, very business-like and just show up to work every day and put his best foot forward, was very impressive," Helton said. "He earned the job."

After delivering the news to Daniels, Helton urged the QB not to stop competing. "Now that [you have] the job, continue to fight for the job," Helton told the second-year signal caller. "Continue to raise your game and raise the others around you."

Helton said Daniels will keep the starting job unless he gets hurt or shows a lack of production. "I don't like people looking over their shoulder," Helton said. "I like them to be able to play. We've had 30 practices to be able to look at this. And obviously, if the quarterback gets hurt, the next one goes in. Or if there's a lack of production over time, another quarterback's got to go in."

Helton explained that Slovis has pleasantly surprised the coaching staff since arriving in the spring, earning him the backup role. "We went in and said that it wasn't going to be about age or where you're from, it was going to be about who was the most productive," Helton said. "We were very surprised with Kedon coming out of the spring. Very impressed. We went through this camp, another 15 practices, to see if it wasn't just spring, and he did it again."

Helton praised all four quarterbacks for their efforts during the competition. "To have four quality quarterbacks on a team is very rare," he said. "To watch them compete in a first-class manor, to not be afraid of competition, is special."

Daniels will line up behind a revamped offensive line when he takes the field on the 31st, and redshirt junior RB Vavae Malepeai thinks that unit will be a key to the team's success. "The whole tempo thing really starts with the O-Line," he explained. "Nobody else can line up until they're lined up ... And they've been good at getting to the ball, getting on the line, making the calls. So credit to them, for real."

Malepeai, who just returned from a knee injury, also had praise for fellow RB Markese Stepp. "He's really playing full speed now," said Malepeai. "We thought what he used to play at was full speed, but now he's really letting it loose, playing fast."

Helton will announce Stepp's spot on the depth chart as well as every other position on Friday, Aug. 30.

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