QB guru: USC QB Max Browne 'in a great position to come in and have success' vs. Alabama
Before most college quarterbacks become household names, they cycle through the Elite 11 system of regional and national camps during their high school and sometimes college careers. Being an integral member of the Elite 11 program gives former NFL quarterback Jordan Palmer an early look into which quarterbacks are primed for success at the next level.
During the most recent FOX Sports The Audible podcast, Palmer came on and gave his thoughts on behalf of many quarterbacks around the nation, many of which have yet to see significant playing time heading into the season. During the interview, one name Palmer heaped praise on was USC redshirt junior Max Browne.
According to Palmer, after spending nearly his entire college career on the bench, Browne is poised to come in and play effectively immediately for the Trojans. Palmer even went so far as to say USC would have an advantage at the quarterback position in the Sept. 3 opener against Alabama.
“Max is in the perfect situation to come in, relax and just play,” Palmer said. “He’s essentially over prepared for this. We see a lot of guys play early… but the reality is he’s over prepared for this. The guy he’s going to line up against (Alabama’s quarterback) he’s got significantly more experience than, so I think he’s in a great position to come in and have success.”
Entering his fourth season with USC, Browne has only thrown for 143 yards and completed 11 of 19 passes but was an incredibly touted recruit coming out of high school. According to 247Sports Composite Ratings, Browne was the No. 1 pocket passer in the nation in 2013 and a five-star prospect.
According to Palmer, Browne won’t be asked to do too much against Alabama but will be asked to make wise decisions and simply get the ball into the hands of the Trojans’ dangerous playmakers – something Browne should excel at.
“He has such a command of where he’s suppose to go with the ball and he’s still evolving as a passer,” Palmer said. “He’s not a finished product yet. From a confidence level, he’s in a place where he knows he can succeed. He’s more of a decision maker than anything and when you have as many weapons as he does at USC, what you want to put an emphasis on is going to the right place with the ball, more so than how it looks when you throw it. I think he’s going to make good decisions, going to the right place with the ball, delivering it accurately and that’s all you need to do at USC, with a good defense and some wide receiver talent.”
While much of the attention heading into the season opener is on Alabama’s starting quarterback, if Browne finally lives up to the hype in his first meaningful action, the story leaving AT&T Stadium could be the emergence of USC’s new starting quarterback.