What We Learned: Why Graham Harrell believes Kedon Slovis has the highest ceiling of any USC QB

Graham Harrell had a decision to make two weeks ago and chose who he thought was the better quarterback for USC at that time. On the surface, it didn't seem to be a particularly tough call. JT Daniels clearly practiced better than his competition over the course of spring and training camp. His first half in Saturday's season opener against Fresno State looked a like things often did at Howard Jones Field, especially during scrimmages.

Yet the more Harrell discusses Kedon Slovis, it's evident who he thinks which USC QB can be greater.

"They're a lot different as players," Harrell said of Slovis and Daniels. "Their mentality is a lot different, their skill level is a lot different, what they bring to the table is a lot different. they're very different players, but they both played at a high level, ever since spring. That's what I'm excited about."

Regarding that skill level, Harrell remarked upon choosing Daniels as his starter that Slovis was as talented as he's ever seen. That comment piqued my curiosity given Harrell's background, which includes a stint with the Green Bay Packers backing up Aaron Rodgers. Did he mean Slovis was the most talented quarterback that he's coached? The most talented college freshman?

"Throwing the ball he's extremely talented, and that's what I want to see," Harrell said. "As far as a passer goes, he's got as good of an arm as I've seen. He can make any throw out there. He can make throws that most people can't make. With him, we just have to do our best to help get him to make the right decisions every time and if he does that, he's going to be a fun kid to watch."

What's interesting about this assessment, and what would make it more genuine, is that Slovis isn't Harrell's guy in the way some would associate a coach with a recruit. Slovis was already signed when Harrell arrived. USC's first-year OC had no hand in his recruitment.

"I didn't know much about Kedon until spring, honestly," Harrell said. "And I tried to come in with a clean slate on all the guys. But when you first watch him throw, he's a really talented passer. fundamentally he's very sound, the ball jumps out of his hand. his talent level definitely gives him a chance to be really successful. From there it's going to come down to decision-making."

It sounds as though Slovis will have to make many. Coach Clay Helton asserted the offense will be "wide open" this Saturday versus Stanford. That was hardly the case this past weekend when Slovis entered in the second half, as the true freshman passed the ball on just 8 of 28 snaps. The difference was USC was playing with a lead and adjusting on the fly.

Harrell said a full week of preparation will allow for the offense to reclaim the identity it exhibited in the first half, when Daniels attempted 34 passes and handed the ball off just 15 times before tearing his ACL.

"We game-plan the same," Harrell said. "The game plan doesn't change. I mean, it'll change based on our opponent but not based on our personnel. ... At times he's probably going to make some freshman mistakes. we're going to have to live with this and overcome those if he does. I've got a ton of confidence in him. He's a talented guy and a great guy to work with."

Another change that isn't likely to come is at quarterback, so long as Slovis remains healthy. Helton indicated Slovis' leash is just as long as the one he was going to afford Daniels, repeating the very same sentiment he'd used upon announcing Daniels as the starter.

"Kedon's going out there to compete, going out there to lead our football team, and I don't want him looking over his shoulder."

Practice performance would suggest the gap between Daniels and Slovis was much smaller than that between Slovis and Matt Fink, who in three-plus years has now played fewer meaningful game snaps than the rookie.

Where Slovis could really learn from his veteran teammate is as a leader. Fink is one of the most well-liked and respected individuals in the locker room and connects well with other players. Harrell, who has harped on the significance of leadership on several occasions dating back to spring, explained that Slovis carries himself quite differently than Daniels.

"Kedon is a little more talkative, upbeat," he said. "He doesn't mind trying to get the group going."

It's part of what attracted him to his head coach as well.

As he had with Sam Darnold, Helton looked past Slovis' low recruiting ranking and just two Power 5 offers. Also like Darnold, Slovis technically recruited himself to his dream school. He sent a message to an old recruiting coordinator asking to be evaluated. The coordinator didn't respond to the message for a few months but once the USC staff saw Slovis' film, then-QBs coach Bryan Ellis took a trip to Scottsdale, Arizona. Slovis earned an offer the day Ellis evaluated him in person. He visited USC soon after and committed, and then won over Helton with a dazzling performance in a summer camp.

"When all the other high-level five stars were here he just put on a show and out-competed everybody," Helton said. "His football instincts and the moment not being too big for him at any point in time and his pure talent. We always trust our gut. We did with Sam, we did with Kedon."

Now he's been entrusted with USC's 2019 season.

"It was definitely weird waking up Sunday morning," Slovis said. "But nothing changes for me. ... It's just football. It's just the same game I've been playing forever."

FOOTNOTES

Wide receiver Kyle Ford has been cleared for individual drills, which he took part in Tuesday. The freshman is working his way back from a torn ACL suffered 12 months ago. Sources tell me Ford is determined to play this season but it will be at least a few weeks before he could be fully cleared.

Offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees, who backed up Jalen McKenzie at right guard in the opener, did not practice because of a foot injury. Helton said he would know more about his status later in the week.

Helton said walk-on QBs Trevor Scully, Brandon Perdue and Scott Harris are currently competing for the No. 3 job.

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