USC Football: Trojans Building Up QB Depth Reminiscent of the Glory Days

The USC Trojans continue to stockpile quarterbacks who could play a pivotal role in the program's aspirations for a resurgence to national prominence. 

Matt Fink is the latest potential addition to a depth chart packed with impressive passers. The 4-star prospect announced his pledge to the Trojans on Monday afternoon via Twitter:

Fink follows in the footsteps of fellow in-state quarterbacks Ricky Town and Sam Darnold, who both signed in February as members of USC's 2015 class. His recruitment status has skyrocketed courtesy of commanding performances at camps, most notably the Blue-Grey All-American Southern California Regional combine. 

Trojans head coach Steve Sarkisian extended an offer in late March, days after missing on Stanford-bound K.J. Costello. USC was one of several teams to enter the mix during a five-week span in early spring, joining Cal, Washington State and Notre Dame.

"I wanted to stay in California and wanted my family to have an easier time to see me," Fink told Aram Tolegian of the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. "... [USC was] the team that showed me the most love. ... Plus, they're a good tight family that would bring me in and consider me as family."

It's a family that's quickly become quite crowded at quarterback.

Fink, rated seventh nationally among dual-threat players at the position in 247Sports' composite rankings, tallied 2,111 total yards and 20 touchdowns in 2014 at Glendora High School. He may need to wait a while to make an impact in Los Angeles.

The 2015 Trojans roster is projected to include eight quarterbacks, with three on scholarship. Incumbent starter Cody Kessler is the only member of the group assured to be gone when Fink would arrive on campus next year, barring the unfortunate possibility of a medical redshirt.

Fink would likely join a collection of leftovers that includes second-year Trojans Town and Darnold—both considered top-10 prospects at quarterback last signing day—and redshirt sophomore Jalen Greene, who first committed to Sarkisian at Washington before following him to USC.

Max Browne would currently start for a vast majority of college programs, and his time to shine will finally arrive when Kessler moves on to the NFL. Rated the top overall quarterback prospect in 2013, he's expected to inherit duties under center with two years of eligibility remaining at USC.

QB	2015 Eligibility Status	Recruiting Ranking
Cody Kessler	Redshirt Senior	4-star (No. 4 pro-style QB)
Max Browne	Redshirt Sophomore	5-star (No. 1 pro-style QB)
Jalen Greene	Redshirt Freshman	3-star (No. 13 dual-threat QB)
Ricky Town	Freshman	4-star (No. 6 pro-style QB)
Sam Darnold	Freshman	4-star (No. 5 dual-threat QB)
Matt Fink	Committed to 2016 class	4-star (No. 7 dual-threat QB)

If Browne lives up to the hype and seizes the job in stride, there may not be a vacancy at quarterback until 2018. It's difficult to imagine Greene, Town and Darnold each remaining on the roster if that's the case, as they may look for a path of less resistance to playing time in order to prove they can eventually thrive in a professional setting.

And that brings us back to Fink, a standout who accepted the opportunity to compete at a position others have arguably avoided to an extent this cycle. Some believe Costello, for instance, selected Stanford because of the opposite situation at quarterback (the Cardinal didn't sign a passer in 2015).

"I'm not going to not go to a school because of competition," Costello told Lindsey Thiry of the Los Angeles Times.

His sentiment may be entirely true, and perhaps it was Stanford's coaching staff, campus and academic support system that won him over during the process. Still, quarterback depth at USC must be considered a relevant factor for any interested recruits.

Fink and 4-star counterparts Town and Darnold could ultimately never take a snap as starters at USC, which takes us back to a time last decade when the program's quarterback was essentially college football royalty and a first-round NFL pick waiting to happen.

Under the guidance of then-head coach Pete Carroll, that torch was passed from Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer to Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart to first-team Pac-10 performer John David Booty to Rose Bowl MVP Mark Sanchez to heralded true freshman Matt Barkley.

Matt Cassel, a 10-year NFL veteran and former Pro Bowl selection, never started a game at USC but still managed to find success as a pro. Other notable backups, like former 5-star recruit Mitch Mustain, ultimately fell by the wayside, while others rose to prominence. 

MARK LENNIHAN/Associated Press

It now seems USC is establishing a similar situation at the sport's most valued position under Sarkisian.

For better or worse, Fink inserted himself into that mix Monday. There's no way of telling whether he'll emerge as the next great Trojans leader or the latest in a long line of reserves talented enough to start elsewhere but sequestered to the bench.

The risk-reward ratio at USC just might be worth it, and this Trojans coaching staff is slated to oversee star-studded quarterback battles for years to come.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.