Max Browne Named USC Starting Quarterback

Max Browne was announced as the USC starting quarterback for 2016 Saturday afternoon, winning the job over Sam Darnold after a fierce battle.

It’s official. Max Brown is USC’s new starting quarterback, head coach Clay Helton announced Saturday.

“At this point, we feel that it is in the best interest of our football team to lean on the veteran experience that Max Browne has, so we have named him the starter going into our opening game against Alabama,” Helton said in a press release. “With our experienced offensive line and the weapons at our skill positions, we as a staff are confident that Max’s ability will help guide a very successful offense.”

The redshirt junior battled unexpectedly with challenger Sam Darnold throughout spring and fall camp, though he remained the favorite to win the job.

“I was thrilled when Coach Helton gave me the news,” said Browne.  “It was a moment of realization that hard work and staying the course paid off for me.  I feel like I have put in the work necessary to earn the starting position and I look forward to leading this team to championships.”

Browne came to USC as the nation’s top pro-style quarterback in 2013 and waited his turn after losing out to Cody Kessler to be the Trojans’ starter as an early enrollee that spring and again as a redshirt freshman in 2014, after the arrival of former head coach Steve Sarkisian.

When Kessler graduated, it was expected that he would pass the baton off to Browne, who had been referred to as QB 1A all of last season.

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However, the redshirt freshman closed the gap enough during the spring for Helton to decline naming a starter in favor of seeing the competition through fall camp.

After USC’s final fall camp practice on Friday, a scrimmage giving players their last chance to make an impression before the depth chart for Alabama was set, Helton indicated that he was surprised the competition carried on as long as it did.

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“I always knew that Max being who he was, National Gatorade Player of the Year, No. 1 recruit in the country coming out, having four years under his belt, four training camps, you knew he would perform well,” said Helton. “But to Sam’s credit, to be this good, this fast is remarkable.”

Darnold’s performance during spring and fall was impressive, but in the end it was not enough to overcome Browne’s experience as a veteran quarterback.

“I was disappointed in the outcome but confident in Coach Helton’s decision,” Darnold said. “I will continue to work hard and prepare as if I’m the starter, so I will be ready when my name is called.”

Though Darnold put up a valiant fight, the job always seemed Browne’s to win.

“Sam is a heck of a player and he pushed me to the final day of camp.” Browne said. “We are good friends and I have no doubt he will have a great career at USC.”

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In addition to a big arm capable of making all the NFL throws, Browne carried a wealth of experience from three years in the program and the respect of his teammates as a leader.

With Browne at the helm, the Trojans will be able to air out the ball more than they have in recent memory, which should be a great asset considering USC’s stacked receiving corps for 2016.