Max Browne named Pittsburgh Panthers starting quarterback

Former USC Trojans quarterback Max Browne has been named the starter for his new team in the Pittsburgh Panthers before the 2017 college football season.

After three years at USC, former Trojans starting quarterback Max Browne elected to transfer after the 2016 college football season. USC was destroyed by the Alabama Crimson Tide in Week 1 and redshirt freshman Sam Darnold would win the starting job over Browne shortly thereafter.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise, as Darnold is arguably the best NFL quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck played at Stanford in 2011. Browne opted to transfer after 2016, settling on a good situation with the Pittsburgh Panthers in the ACC.

According to Bruce Feldman of FOX Sports, Browne has been named the starter for the Panthers this season. This will be Browne’s senior season of college football. He is able to play right away since he graduated from USC before transferring.

In three years at USC, Browne has completed 69 of 112 passes for 650 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Though Pat Narduzzi is a defensive-minded head coach, the Panthers have had one of the most creative offenses in college football since his arrival in 2015.

Pittsburgh was a great landing spot for Browne, who replaces another transfer quarterback in Nathan Peterman, now in his rookie year with the Buffalo Bills. The Panthers will run the ball a lot this fall, often using the jet sweep. It should give Browne an opportunity to play under center a good bit to help out his pro prospects.

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While Mark Richt’s Miami Hurricanes or Justin Fuente’s Virginia Tech Hokies might be the favorites to win the ACC Coastal, Pittsburgh has to be in the discussion to win the division with Browne at quarterback. Pittsburgh will host the Youngstown State Penguins in their home opener at Heinz Field this season on September 2. Let’s hope Week 1 2017 is better than Week 1 2016 for Browne.