Hackett to Name Quarterback, but Freshmen Will Get a Shot

USC Coach Paul Hackett, facing some of the same issues John Robinson did, will try to get a jump on the Trojans’ quarterback situation by naming a No. 1 quarterback Tuesday.

He also has decided cornerback Daylon McCutcheon will play only defense for now, but as Robinson did, he reserved the right to change his mind.

USC is facing uncertainty at quarterback for a second year in a row after John Fox emerged from a three-way battle in the fall, only to lose the job to Mike Van Raaphorst seven games into last season, then regain it when Van Raaphorst injured his ankle and sat out the final two games.

Quincy Woods is also in the mix, but Hackett said freshmen Carson Palmer and Jason Thomas both will get a look in August, no matter who emerges this spring.

“The young guys were promised a chance,” Hackett said. “That’s part of the reason they came here. We all know that.”