Max Browne, Sam Darnold rehash past USC football quarterback debates

The battle between Max Browne and Sam Darnold rehashes past quarterback debates. The outcome is likely to follow the same pattern.

Max Browne or Sam Darnold? That is the question for USC football this offseason.

Browne has put in his time. He has three years in the program. He has the big arm. He has the leadership and respect of his teammates.

But Darnold is just so interesting.

Darnold can make all the throws. He can also make all the plays, with mobility not possessed by a Trojan quarterback since Mark Sanchez guided the USC offense in 2008.

When the Trojans run out of the shotgun with a read-option handoff, Darnold is a real threat to take off and run with it. When the pocket breaks down, Darnold has the ability to punish a defense the way opposition quarterbacks have hurt USC in the past.

No wonder Clay Helton is delaying his decision to name a starter, waiting to see just how high Darnold can rise between now and Fall Camp.

It’s funny how things change.

Mar 8, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass during spring practice at Howard Jones Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

This time last year, Browne was the mouthwatering No. 2 option with the greater range of tools behind the very vanilla Cody Kessler. He was QB 1A. The heir apparent with the higher ceiling waiting behind the established starter.

This time last year, Browne was the Sanchez to Kessler’s John David Booty.

Now the inevitability of Browne’s ascent has been overshadowed by those Sanchez-esque qualities possessed by Darnold.

But as much as things change, they also stay the same. Or in this case, are destined to follow the same patterns.

Here’s how this will play out: Browne will be USC’s starting quarterback.

He’ll deserve that role, much like Booty deserved his starting job no matter how tempting the prospect of an offense run by Sanchez got.

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And make no mistake, that’s no bad thing. Browne is more physically gifted than Booty, and that supremely underrated QB won two Rose Bowls.

With elite physical tools at his disposal, chemistry built up with his receivers and a strong schematic grasp of football as a whole, which has been praised by both Helton and quarterbacks coach Tyson Helton, Browne is ready to be the starter.

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Darnold, while enticing, can wait. Behind Browne he can improve his grasp of the offense and continue to polish his throwing ability so when he sees the field growing pains will be limited.

If Browne were a lesser quarterback the argument could be made to throw Darnold in on potential, but there’s no need to rush the natural succession plan. Not when Browne hasn’t done anything to lose the job this offseason.

Should Browne leave for the NFL after his redshirt junior season, Darnold need only wait one year. Even if he stays for round two, Darnold would have two years of eligibility remaining on his plate.

By then, who knows, maybe Darnold will be facing his own challenge from exciting young prospects like Tua Tagovailoa or Matt Corrall.