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As if the challenge of opening up on the road, with a first-year starting quarterback and facing the preseason No. 1 team in the nation wasn’t enough, USC now plans to kick off the season with an inexperienced left tackle to protect Max Browne’s blindside.
Late Monday evening, USC head coach Clay Helton announced sophomore Chuma Edoga would be making his first start at left tackle, his second career start, against the Tide.
“We are going end up going with Chuma at the left tackle position to start off,” said Helton according to Chris Trevino of FightOn247. “We are going to evaluate Chad (Wheeler) throughout the week and see if he can progress and help us with a couple series there.”
USC senior Chad Wheeler was projected to start the game at left tackle but will be limited due to injury.
While the prospect of giving Edoga his first meaningful snaps against the Tide is not ideal, the Powder Springs, Ga., native came to USC as a five-star prospect and a Top 30 overall recruit in 2015. Regardless of the talent he may possess, make no mistake, Edoga will likely be in for the fight of his life Saturday night. How he reacts could be one of the major storylines of the game.
Alabama takes on USC Saturday night in AT&T Stadium at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
