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USC coaches don't rule out freshman QB Sam Darnold as starter

USC quarterbacks coach Tyson Helton was asked Tuesday what he would tell fans who think the coaches would never start a redshirt freshman at quarterback in the season opener against Alabama.

“I would say. ‘Don’t ever put anything past anybody,’” Helton said. “The best player plays. Whether it’s redshirt freshman or a true freshman. You play him.”

Bold words in April, but at the moment USC is a long way off from starting freshman Sam Darnold at quarterback. But the question is worth asking because Darnold is neck-and-neck with junior Max Browne.

“(Darnold’s) getting close (to learning the whole playbook),” Helton said.