USC Football Spring Camp Preview: Quarterback

USC football kicks off spring camp on March 3 and with a starter firmly entrenched, the quarterback position should offer a lively battle for the back up position.

Returning starters: Cody Kessler (Sr.*)

Returning players: Max Browne (So.*), Jalen Greene (Fr.*)

Newcomers: Ricky Town (EE)

Departures: None

The Trojans enter the 2015 season with Cody Kessler established atop the depth chart after a record-breaking 2014 season. While he certainly has areas to focus on for improvement, he will not be facing a battle for the starting job for the first time in his career.

Jan 3, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; West quarterback Ricky Town (18) is sacked by East defensive lineman Kyle Phillips (72) during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome. West beat East 39-36. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

With that in mind, spring will be an opportunity for Kessler to get his mind and body ready for a senior season now piled with expectation.

RELATED: Can Kessler win the Heisman?

Absent an injury to Kessler, Max Browne, Jalen Greene and early enrollee Ricky Town will fight for the No. 2 spot at quarterback.

Browne has the leg up on the rest, having filled that role in 2014.

Town is the potential usurper, a highly-touted pro-style quarterback who has enough talent to challenge for the job.

Greene is the dark horse, a dual-threat athlete who may just provide enough extra dimensions to deliver a major spring shock.

Battle to watch: Town vs. Browne

Who has the most to gain? Town enrolled early at USC, giving him a head start on fellow newcomer Sam Darnold, who will arrive in the fall. A quick start which puts him in the back up position straight away would put him in pole position for next year.

Who has the most to lose? Browne will look over his shoulder and see two new quarterback signees gunning for the starting job in 2016. That year-long battle begins now. If he allows Town to get ahead of him this spring, it will be a long road to the top.

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