After waiting in the wings for three years, redshirt sophomore Max Browne leads the group with regards to experience. Jalen Greene, who, according to head coach Clay Helton, will try his hand at the quarterback position again this year, brings speed to the competition. Redshirt freshman Sam Darnold has been touted for his athleticism and spent his first year at USC learning the playbook as he awaited his chance to compete this season. Newcomer dual-threat quarterback Matt Fink is a member of the 2016 recruiting class, but arrived in January to get a jump start on his Trojan career.
Each contender brings something unique to the table, and in addition to their on-field skills, the quarterbacks' confidence, leadership and poise will also play an important role in who is given the starting nod. Browne, who challenged Kessler in his first season at USC, believes he can check all of the necessary boxes to take on the starting role.
"You're aware of every single option, but I fully plan to win the starting job here, to start and finish my career here," Browne told ESPN's Ted Miller when asked about the upcoming position battle.
Click here to read Miller's complete profile on Browne.
The Trojans will have five weeks in the spring to begin sorting things out under center, but there are no guarantees head coach Clay Helton names a starter before Fall Camp. Whoever does earn the job has a challenging starting debut awaiting them when the Trojans travel to Arlington, Texas on September 3 to take on the reining national champion Alabama Crimson Tide.
Click here to listen to head coach Clay Helton's Spreecast from Tuesday in which he discusses Browne, Greene, Darnold and Fink.
