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USC Football: Max Browne’s time to star as Trojans quarterback

By Patrick Schmidt

Mar 8, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Max Browne throws a pass during spring practice at Howard Jones Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Max Browne throws a pass during spring practice at Howard Jones Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The time is now for Max Browne to show he’s the quarterback to lead the USC Trojans to a Pac-12 championship.

Max Browne came to USC with a five-star billing as the top quarterback recruit in the nation. Two years later, Browne has attempted 19 passes and is still looking for his first college touchdown after serving as the backup to Cody Kessler.

With Kessler off to the NFL, the time is now for Browne to begin fulfilling those lofty expectations that were thrust upon him as a highly touted recruit.

Browne looks the part of the next great USC quarterback at a statuesque 6-5, 220 pounds and despite the in-game experience, I think his time spent on the sideline, coaches room and practice field where he was able to watch and learn will set him up for success this year.

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USC had more of a scripted practice for their spring game and Browne fared well, completing 6-of-11 passes and three touchdowns to suggest he’s in line for a breakout season. Helping his cause is the return of junior receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster who may be the best player at his position in the country.

Two of Browne’s touchdowns went to the dynamic playmaker.

Head coach Clay Helton may elect to wait to name an official starter after redshirt freshman Sam Darnold finished a strong spring with 6-of-7 passing and a pair of touchdowns, but this is Browne’s team.

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Whether Helton names a starter this week or he waits until the day before USC opens their season against defending national champion Alabama, you can expect to see No. 4 behind center for the Trojans.

Credit Darnold’s strong spring for making this a competition, but Browne has done everything he has needed to do to give the coaches the belief and the confidence that Browne will be the guy to lead the team to a potential Pac-12 championship.

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