Booty is no Leinart. He’s better — at least in terms of his qualifications for the job beforehand.

In 2003, there was a four-man race to become Palmer’s successor between Leinart, Matt Cassel (now Tom Brady’s backup in New England), Brandon Hance (a transfer from Purdue who had game experience) and Billy Hart. Leinart won out, but barely. None of the candidates blew away the others, but Leinart impressed Chow the most with his ability to manage the offense and not make mistakes.

Yet Leinart had never thrown a pass in a college game before, and had only made cameo appearances in three games. Booty has appeared in 15 games and has completed 34 of 56 passes. He’s been in the program around most of the same coaches — Chow is gone to the NFL, but young offensive gurus Lane Kiffin and Steve Sarkisian provide continuity from his era — since 2003.

SN'S MATT HAYES ON COLLEGE FOOTBALL No stars, no worries Leinart, Bush gone, but USC still loaded for title run

Booty has studied and suffered, recuperated and reflected. He’s put in the work, did everything asked of him and never complained once. In terms of a carefully groomed prospect, he couldn’t be more prepared. No one will ever know if he’s truly ready until he begins taking snaps in Fayetteville while the Razorbacks and a sold-out SEC crowd try to reduce him to a blob of runny grits. But on paper, the heir apparent is apparently ready.

And if all goes well, the title of college football individual with the most pressure on him in history will someday go to whomever replaces John David Booty.

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