But even before Kinlaw's injury, Team USA had a quarterback backup plan. Making the trip to Austin, from Danville, Calif., was Cameron Birse, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound pocket passer from San Ramon Valley High School.
Birse played behind senior Zach Kline, a Cal signee, but threw for 3,782 yards and 43 touchdowns to three interceptions on Sam Ramon Valley's freshman and JV levels the past few years. Birse led those teams to a combined 15-2 record.
The Team USA U-19 team started off with two quarterbacks in Brayden Scott and Trent Hosick, but the latter — after a strong performance this week — left the team for personal reasons. That made wide receiver Rashad Kinlaw the No. 2 quarterback for Saturday night's game, though Kinlaw didn't get a chance to take snaps. Still playing at wide receiver, Kinlaw had a nice catch and run, but came up with an ankle injury.
Birse will be added to the 45-man roster, and on it, was given Kinlaw's No. 15.