SI.com's Stewart Mandel recently did an article on 10 of the top stories in NCAA football entering the spring, and one of the issues he covers is the search for Matt Leinart's heir at USC.
Mandel writes the following:
When its all said and done, who do you think it's going to be? My money's on Booty. He has the experience edge, and while Sanchez may have the physical and mechanical edge, there really isn't a gigantic gap between the two. Sanchez will get his chance next season; this year, it's Booty's show unless he really stinks up the place.
Mandel writes the following:
USC has had just two starting quarterbacks in Pete Carroll's five seasons -- Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart -- and both won Heisman trophies. Needless to say, there's more than a little interest in L.A. as to who inherits the reins next. Offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin and quarterbacks coach Steve Sarkisian have both said they'd like to name a starter by the end of spring. Booty, who graduated from high school a year early only to sit behind Leinart for three seasons, has the clear edge in experience over redshirt freshman Sanchez, but practice observers last season were blown away by the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Sanchez's arm strength and delivery. The guess here is that Booty will emerge from spring as the starter but will be constantly looking over his shoulder should he struggle in the slightest next fall (which is entirely possible considering the amount of attrition on the Trojans' O-line).
When its all said and done, who do you think it's going to be? My money's on Booty. He has the experience edge, and while Sanchez may have the physical and mechanical edge, there really isn't a gigantic gap between the two. Sanchez will get his chance next season; this year, it's Booty's show unless he really stinks up the place.
