As coach Clay Helton reminded reporters multiple times, this was USC’s first scrimmage, still the team’s eighth day of practice.
Whatever has already been written or said about Daniels, the 18-year-old true freshman outperformed the hyperbolic scouting reports that preceded his enrollment at USC.
His arm was stronger than advertised, his passes more precise, his know-how more developed.
Helton indicated he might not name a starting quarterback until the week of USC’s Sept. 1 season opener against Nevada Las Vegas, but this competition is all but over.
In his first time in a game-like situation in the Coliseum, Daniels completed 10 of 12 passes and threw for four touchdowns.