Corp named starting QB

Garry Paskwietz WeAreSC.com

Aaron Corp has been named the starting QB coming out of USC spring ball sessions with Matt Barkley as the back-up and Mitch Mustain in the #3 role. The competition will continue into fall camp.

Pete Carroll had been clear that he wanted to name a starting quarterback by the end of spring and lately it had become pretty apparent that Corp would get that nod. The freshman Barkley certainly put some pressure on but the fact that Corp did a great job of keeping on-field mistakes to a minimum (he didn't have any interceptions through today) was a key factor in giving Corp the nod

The important thing to note is the emphasis Carroll placed on the fact that the competition will continue into fall camp.

"We have to name a starter for the spring game and Corp is in the lead at this point," Carroll said on his official website. "We're going to carry the competition on through Fall Camp,"

The reason that choice of words is so important is because Carroll has always chosen a starter at the end of spring for every quarterback battle we've seen during his tenure at coach but, once a decision is made, Carroll has also never made a change in the starter role. During a recent post-practice interview he even referenced the subject,

"I always says the competition is ongoing but you guys just never believe me," said Carroll to the media.

This year, there is reason to believe him as Barkley showed enough on-field promise that it would be a mistake to rule him out at this point.

"Matt had a great spring and was right there pushing for the job, but he just hasn't had enough time to learn everything," Carroll said today on his site. "But on the field, he played like a starter."

Mustain falls to third for now and it will be interesting to see how he responds. There is no doubt the talent is within him but the reality is that the pecking order at the quarterback spot right now is accurate based on what we've seen this spring and now Mitch will have to fight his way past two guys if he hopes to be the starting quarterback for the Trojans.

No matter what happens, Corp will have his hands full to hold off the competition but he definitely has the skills to do it. Aaron has a strong enough arm even if he won't remind you of Carson Palmer with his arm strength. He makes good decisions. He can run when needed, something he does better than any other QB in the Carroll era, He is also a winner, he led his HS team to a state title and was named the California State Player of the Year. You don't accomplish those things without being a good quarterback.

The heat will increase this summer and fall for Corp, however, because this is one competition that will be watched closely and every move by the players will be scrutinized. Today was a good day for Corp, and we congratulate Aaron on the honor, but it was only step one. Let the competition continue.