Max Browne will be joining the Pitt Panthers.
Former USC Trojan 5-star recruit quarterback Max Browne has announced his transfer decision.
He’ll be joining the Pittsburgh Panthers football team.
Playing in Pittsburgh, Pa will be much different than playing home games in Southern California.
“It’s way different than USC is terms of the city and the feel and the weather and all that,” Browne told ESPN. “As far as the vibe to the team, the guys I was around when I was there, it was a good fit. I got along with those guys. Really like them and it’s a great opportunity for me in my fifth and final year.”
Because Browne has already graduated, he’ll be eligible to play for the team next season instead of having to sit out a year.
Browne visited Pitt last week and clearly liked what he saw.
“He must’ve been sold on the system that was there,” USC coach Clay Helton said. “When you bring a quarterback in like Max that’s ultra-talented, you bring him in because you believe in him within the system. I would imagine that’s not going to change.”
The Panthers offensive coordinator, Matt Canada, actually left the team to take the OC job at LSU, but that didn’t cause them to lose Browne.
“Coach Canada was part of the equation, but at the end of the day, [head coach Pat Narduzzi] was the biggest factor for me,” Browne said. “He’s excited about me. He’s excited about what I can bring in.”
Once the top high school quarterback prospect in the nation, Browne fell victim to the immense talent in front of him at USC.
Browne spent his freshman season behind Matt Barkley on the depth chart and then sat behind Cody Kessler during his redshirt freshman and sophomore seasons.
Now a redshirt junior, he came into 2016 as the starter at USC, but struggled and was pulled after three games in favor of redshirt freshman Sam Darnold.
Given Darnold’s high level of play, it was hard to imagine Browne ever getting a chance to start at USC again, so he announced his decision to transfer.
“I want nothing but the best for him,” Helton said. “He’s a special talent, a special kid and I know he’ll have a really bright future.”
For the season, Browne connected on 58 of 93 passes for 507 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
