Quarterback Mitch Mustain, who went 8-0 as a freshman starter last season for Arkansas, has transferred to Southern California.
Mustain, who will have three years of eligibility remaining after sitting out next season, is enrolled at USC for summer school and attending classes, sports information director Tim Tessalone confirmed Monday.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Mustain was a prized recruit after completing over 70 percent of his passes in 2005 for the undefeated state championship team at Springdale, Ark. He enrolled at Arkansas along with three of his high school teammates.
In addition, Springdale coach Gus Malzahn was hired as the Razorbacks' offensive coordinator.
After Arkansas lost to USC 50-14 to begin last season, Mustain was made the starter. The Razorbacks won their next eight games with an offense that revolved around tailback Darren McFadden, the Heisman Trophy runner-up.
Casey Dick took over as the starting quarterback in the season's 10th game. Mustain and Dick both played in the Razorbacks' 17-14 loss to Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl.
Arkansas, the SEC West champion, finished the season 10-4 and ranked 15th in the nation. Malzahn left afterward to join the coaching staff at Tulsa, and Mustain asked for and received his release to transfer.
Mustain completed 69 of 132 passes for 894 yards and 10 touchdowns with nine interceptions for the Razorbacks.
Wide receiver Damian Williams, also from Springdale, transferred from Arkansas to USC as well. Williams will also have three years of eligibility remaining after sitting out next season.
Mustain is expected to compete for the starting quarterback position in 2008 with Mark Sanchez, who completed 3-of-7 passes for 63 yards for USC as a freshman last fall. John David Booty, who passed for 3,347 yards and 29 touchdowns for the Trojans last season, will be a senior next year.
This is a big one for USC. I think Mustain will an absolute star for them. Arkansas dropped the ball big time by letting him get away.
I meant to post this last night, but there seemed to have been maintenance work going on.. hehe... I think Mustain will still have to compete for a job after booty leaves with a championship and POSSIBLY a heisman
Man, I'm wondering what USC will do with Sanchez/Mustain then. Sanchez was a highly coveted freshman who got redshirted and then had some charges brought up against him that didn't have any evidence, but still. One must wonder who will get the start when Booty is gone.
It's hard to believe their depth and talent at every posistion. I mean, look at USC's back field. They have so many good running backs I think one or two of them will need to transfer because they got the best running back in the country this year in Joe McKnight. He may need to be red shirted..
to say USC is deep is like saying the Titantic was big. These guys are ultra talented at every frikkin position. Mustain could be a starter in Oklahoma, LSU, Alabama (maybe over John Parker Wilson) Ohio State (oh yes he could) Wisconsin.. I mean.. damn.. and he's 2ND STRING in So Cal.
Linear Mode
