Hart Still in Hunt at Quarterback

The competition to become USC’s quarterback remains a four-man race.

The Trojans were off this week for spring break, but redshirt freshman Billy Hart said Friday that Coach Pete Carroll instructed him to continue attending workouts when the Trojans resume spring practice Tuesday. Hart, also an outfielder for the Trojan baseball team, missed two weeks of baseball practice while competing against redshirt sophomore Matt Cassel, redshirt freshman Matt Leinart and junior transfer Brandon Hance.

At the outset of spring practice March 4, Carroll said a determination about Hart’s status would be made after seven workouts. If he were contending to replace Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer, he would remain with the football team through April 5. If not, he would return to baseball and rejoin the football team for fall workouts.

“Coach Carroll called and told me it’s going well and he wants me to compete for the next two weeks,” Hart said. “It’s good to be in the hunt for the job.”