Are you a team that might have a glaring hole at quarterback and want to turn to a veteran option instead of an untested freshman? Well it just might be your lucky day.
As first reported by USCFootball.com and later confirmed by the school, USC has signed quarterback Max Browne’s permission-to-contact paperwork -- allowing him to talk with any NCAA school about a transfer after the season.
A redshirt freshman who has already graduated and would have a year to play without having to sit out, Browne is a former five-star recruit out of high school who started the Trojans’ first three games in 2016. With the team struggling to a 1-2 record, he eventually lost the job to redshirt freshman signal-caller Sam Darnold and has played very sparingly since a loss to Stanford.
Browne’s numbers on the season are not bad as he’s completed 64 percent of his passes for 507 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, he’s a strong-armed pro-style quarterback who can certainly throw the ball but is limited in terms of mobility.
While Browne is currently the team’s backup, he has given every indication that a transfer will happen after USC’s season (likely in December) and the coaching staff has been understanding with the matter and do not appear to be blocking any destinations. While a Pac-12 school is all but out of the running for the services of the quarterback, he could be a coveted free agent (so to speak) for any team needing some experience at the most important position on the field.