USC names redshirt junior Max Browne starting quarterback

USC coach Clay Helton has named Max Browne the starting quarterback.

Redshirt junior Max Browne will be the starting quarterback for USC, coach Clay Helton announced on Saturday.

Browne has been battling for the starting position with Sam Darnold, a redshirt freshman, since spring practice and has finally earned the slot ahead of the Trojans season opener against reigning national champion Alabama on Sept. 3.

WIN $2KIN TICKETS

WIN $2KIN TICKETS

GET READY TO COMPETE

Pick your champion (you can change it later). We’ll email you when brackets open.

• Georgia
• Utah
• Alabama
• UCLA
• Notre Dame
• Texas
• Miami (FL)
• Tennessee
• Indiana
• BYU
• Kentucky
• Texas Tech

PREREGISTER TO PLAY

No purchase necessary. 50 U.S./D.C. 18+. Entry opens 3PM ET Dec 6, 2026 and closes 8PM ET Dec 18, 2026. Void where prohibited.See Official Rules for complete details. The College Football Playoff (CFP) is not a sponsor or administrator of this contest.

The top-ranked quarterback in the high school class of 2013 according to Scout.com, Brown has seen limited action since arriving at USC, but looked sharp in his time under center, going 8-for-12 with 113 passing yards while backing up Cody Kessler in 2015.

The Trojans are entering their first full season under Helton, who coached the team's final nine games in 2015 following the departure of Steve Sarkisian after the season’s fifth game.