USC Trojans (Booty to return earlier than expected)
04/22/2006

Los Angeles- With spring practice over the USC Trojans released their depth chart for Fall camp which is due to start in August and despite missing nearly all three weeks of spring camp due to back surgery quarterback John David Booty was listed no.1 ahead of redshirt freshman Mark Sanchez who was impressive throughout spring.

USC Trojans head coach Pete Carroll said Booty would enter training camp ahead of Sanchez, "That only makes sense to me Carroll told reporters, John David feels terrific, he has no pain at all. To see John David feeling so good gives us the feeling he's going to jump out of this rehab.He wants to throw right now-he feels like he can throw right now.

John David Booty underwent surgery on March 31st and will be in rehabilitation for at least eight weeks, Carroll seemed adamant about Booty being the starter and making a full recovery, but wouldnt discount Mark Sanchez's chances and stated that his strong three week showing only enhanced his chances, Booty who will be a fourth-year junior served as Matt Leinart's backup last season throwing for 327 yards and three touchdowns.

Whoever gets the starting nod for the USC Trojans will have a tough act to follow as the last two quarterbacks for the USC Trojans, Carson Palmer and Leinart both won the Heisman Trophy, but this year's signal caller will have a group of receivers who are the nations best led by all-america flanker Dwayne Jarrett, the injury to John David Booty may turn out to be very helpful to the USC Trojans as Mark Sanchez took the majority of the snaps in the spring and worked out almost exclusively with the first team and looked confident and razor sharp in the spring game, John David Booty however has all the tools to become one of the best signal callers in all the land as he possesses a rocket-like arm and has 4.5 speed which is vital in escaping the pass rush, Sanchez is more of a pocket passer and is a bit bigger then Booty but less mobile, its almost like comparing Leinart and Palmer.

After watching Sanchez perform against the first team defense coach Pete Carroll of the USC Trojans feels the quarterback battle is a win-win situation, "Im not worried at all-I think were real lucky to be in the position were in.There's no doubt in my mind we'll expect real good quarterback play.The USC Trojans will play the Arkansas Razorbacks in their season opener on September 2nd at Fayatville, Arkansas,look for the battle at quarterback to go down to the wire with John David Booty coming out on top, with Mark Sanchez being very capable of stepping in at anytime and leading the team, its a problem alot of teams wish they had...two capable quarterbacks.