Redshirt junior Max Browne will start at quarterback for Southern California.
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Browne, who has participated in 4 spring camps and 4 fall camps since enrolling at USC in the spring of 2013, has seen action in 9 games the past 2 seasons as the backup to now-graduated 3-year starter Cody Kessler.
Added Browne: “I was thrilled when Coach Helton gave me the news”.
It had always been assumed Browne, the No. 2-ranked quarterback in the Class of 2013, would take over following Cody Kessler’s departure, but he received a serious challenge from redshirt freshman Sam Darnold.
The program announced Saturday that head coach Clay Helton has named redshirt junior Max Browne the team’s starting quarterback. But in his first practice since being named the starter, Browne said Tuesday that nothing had changed compared with the first two weeks of training camp when he was competing with redshirt freshman Sam Darnold.
The 6-5, 220-pound Browne has thrown just 19 passes in his college career, but Helton said his “veteran experience” is key for USC. “We are good friends and I have no doubt he will have a great career at USC”.
Darnold has to be ready in case of injury or the use of a package of plays in the red zone or near the goal line to feature his mobility.
“You’re able to relax and really hone in on something you need to work on during practice, but it’s a different kind of stress”, Browne said. “It’s cool that he is having success, I’m happy for him and excited for Week 1”.
Browne went into the meeting last Saturday expecting to win the job, and immediately sent a group text to his three brothers with the news.
Helton feels the coaching staff did the right thing by keeping the competition going up until two weeks before the first game. “We believe that the competitive atmosphere that was put in place allowed both quarterbacks to progress as players”.
“I personally appreciate how both men handled this competition with great maturity and comradery. Both of them did their job today and will continue to do their job throughout the season”.
The narrative throughout the whole competition was that Browne was the quarterback who ran the offense most effectively who made the proper reads and quick decisions on releasing the ball.
Said Darnold: “I was disappointed in the outcome but confident in Coach Helton’s decision”.
“He showed tremendous leadership throughout those two years”, Darnold said. 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.
It was January 2013 when Browne first joined the Trojans as a midyear enrollee under former coach Lane Kiffin.
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The university confirmed those arrested were: cornerback Ashton White, starting safety Max Redfield, wide receiver Kevin Stepherson Jr., linebacker Te’von Coney and Dexter Williams, who’s one of three running backs expected to play regularly for the Irish this season.
