No USC quarterback ever won a starting job based on the first day of spring practice. But Trojans coach Clay Helton said Tuesday he would name a starter next month if there was a “huge gap” in the competition.

That seems unlikely if freshman Sam Darnold grasps the offense, because his strong arm and quick feet make him impossible to ignore. At the same time, Max Browne’s three-year wait makes him the logical favorite, especially if Helton does not want to destroy Darnold’s confidence against Alabama on Sept. 3.

• PHOTOS: First USC football spring practice

“If the gap is close, we’ll take it fall camp,” Helton said. “But we’ll make a determination before we go to Dallas (to play Alabama).”

Darnold threw two deep passes to wide receivers Steven Mitchell and Ajene Harris in his first spring practice while Browne looked confident after waiting a seemingly endless wait behind Cody Kessler. Meanwhile, Jalen Greene, who played wide receiver last season, said he wants to play quarterback and is also competing.

“Max has a cannon, Sam Darnold has accuracy and Jalen has speed and is left-handed,” wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster said.

Browne admitted his college career has been frustrating to this point.

“It was the hand I was dealt,” he said. “I’m not going to say it was easy.”

Even worse, quarterbacks rated below him in high school (Jared Goff, Christian Hackenberg) are expected to be first-round NFL draft picks this spring.

“It’s 100 percent odd,” Browne said. “Jared was my best friend on the recruiting circuit. It’s ending for them and starting for me.”

Darnold, who appears laid back, said he was excited during Tuesday’s practice.

“I’m relaxed but everyone gets nerves,” he said. “It would be awesome (to start against Alabama). It’s Alabama but you have to treat it like a normal game.”

Greene’s move back to quarterback makes some sense because USC will have a head-scratching 13 wide receivers on scholarship in the fall. Freshman Matt Fink, who graduated from Glendora High School in December, also practiced.

“It helps you sleep at night knowing that position is solidified,” Helton said.

First-day impact

The receivers always stand out first in spring practice and training camp, and Helton admitted freshmen Michael Pittman and Josh Imatorbhebhe make an impression.

“They looked like they have been here for two years,” Helton said.

Wheeler apologizes

Offensive tackle Chad Wheeler spoke for the first time since being suspended in December after an altercation with police.

“I dealt with it. I regret what I did,” Wheeler said. “I apologized to my coach, my teammates and fans. I did have personal issues.”

Helton said Wheeler is eligible to play for the Alabama game and will not face further punishment.

No Adoree Jackson

Helton reiterated cornerback Adoree Jackson would skip spring drills to focus on the long jump and trying to make the 2016 U.S. Olympic team, which at this point is a long shot. Jackson attended practice in street clothes.

No music

USC usually plays music at certain points of practice but not Tuesday and probably not for the rest of spring. Helton said there was no music so players could “hear your coaches teach football.”

Injury report

Several players were not practicing: Defensive end Don Hill (team rules violation); tight end Taylor McNamara (strep throat); safety Chris Hawkins (ankle surgery); linebacker Cameron Smith (knee); linebacker Osa Masina (hamstring), linebacker Scott Felix (suspended) and safety Leon McQuay (class).