There is a big weight off Clay Helton and JT Daniels’ shoulders tonight now that Jack Sears is leaving.
Helton won’t face any more pressure to play Sears and Daniels won’t have to deal with the specter of Sears being on the sideline and coming into a game and looking better than him (like last year). It also helps Daniels because a large segment of the team wanted Sears.
Now Daniels has the luxury of an unknown freshman (Kedon Slovis) backing him up who is largely unknown to fans.
It’s about as good as it can get for Daniels. Now he just needs to perform since he was gifted the job.
As expected, Helton gave his faux-genuine answers regarding Sears.
“He is a part of my family for life, and I wish him nothing but the best in the future. He is a special, special individual,” Helton said.
Daniels also weighed in.
“He was like an older brother for me, a great friend and a great supporter. I’m really gonna miss Jack,” he said.
- In other news, Helton said linebacker Solomon Tuliaupupu underwent foot surgery and will miss the season. He has been out his first two years and will apply for a sixth year. Helton said he also had foot surgery before he came to USC.
- The NCAA has not ruled on Bru McCoy‘s eligibility yet but it doesn’t really matter at the moment because McCoy isn’t even practicing.
- USC president Carol Folt attended practice.
InsideUSC with Scott Wolf 
Helton is a punk. Hey Pudly, you got what you wanted.
Good job, princess.
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I’m a J. T. fan and I’m glad he’s starting (and I believe the words he spoke about Jack Sears are 100% sincere). Nevertheless, I’ve watched college football for a long time and I’ve never seen a Coach play a kid along the way Helton played Sears along. I would respect Helton more if he told Sears before spring that his dual threat style didn’t fit Harrell’s version of the Air Raid offense and Sears would be better off leaving (and, then, took the heat for that decision with the press & players). Instead he pretended to have a competition that he KNEW in advance Sears had no chance of winning. And he knew, too, that after it was over he’d say some insincere words about love and honor and the local press would eat it all up. This is not a good man ….and he deserves whatever he gets.
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Mr Sears will know how good he is perceived based on what programs are interested in him and where he ends up. I think it is a Pac 12 team since he didnt want play this fall.
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Jack Sears leaving does not solve Helton’s problems. If Sears gets on the field anywhere it could be detrimental to Helton. Imagine how the USC faithful will react when he starts for another team and is successful! We will be calling for Helton’s job just as loudly.
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Saw the Harrell interview where he seemed sincere in assessing how Daniels was “more consistent” than any of the other candidates. He his job on the line, too, so I suspect he is going with who he thinks is best. And he is on record that he “loves” Slovis’ game. So perhaps this is why they are Nos 1 and 2…..But then again, I could be wrong.
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Good luck Sears go do great things.
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