USC QB Max Browne Learns Behind Cody Kessler's Growing Star

As national signing day approaches and USC football prepares to add several highly touted prospects to its roster, quarterback Max Browne serves as a reminder that not every big-time recruit makes an impact immediately.

But Browne also has the opportunity to prove patience pays off. 

"I’m just going about my business, preparing…for this offseason," Browne said in December, coming off Howard Jones Field after a Trojans practice for the last time in 2014. 

The 2014 campaign was Browne's second in the program. In that time, he said he's learned plenty that will serve him well for the rest of his college career. 

"I just got comfortable," he said. "A lot of the timing routes, a lot of the concepts I don't even think about anymore. Oftentimes when coaches say a formation, I already know what play they're going to call.

"That's something I never even would have thought of a year ago."

Browne may not have had the familiarity or the comfort to run USC's offense a season ago, but when his time to shine comes, having bided his time should pay dividends.

Browne came to USC in 2013 ranked as the nation's No. 1 quarterback prospect. With four-year starter Matt Barkley on his way out and Browne enrolling in time for spring practices, high expectations met the Sammamish, Washington, native from day one.

Instead, Browne is entering his third spring still with minimal collegiate experience to his name and behind the fast-rising star of a Heisman Trophy contender, Cody Kessler.  

Kessler's ascent from one of two quarterbacks sharing snaps early in 2013 to one of the most prolific scorers in USC's illustrious quarterback history put Browne on the back burner.  

Meanwhile, the former 5-star recruit has appeared in six games, thrown seven passes and scored zero touchdowns while at USC.

But in that same time, Browne took hundreds, if not thousands, of snaps in practice, operating within the same process that transformed Kessler from inexperienced afterthought to record-setter.

"All the throws are becoming second nature," Browne said. 

So, too, is Browne's rapport with other Trojans reserves as the program's next generation begins to take shape behind the scenes.

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"A lot of those second-team guys" are whom Browne said he's become comfortable throwing to. "Darreus Rodgers, George Katrib, David Mellstrom, and then [tight end] Bryce Dixon is right behind Randall [Telfer] on the depth chart."

With Telfer graduating, Dixon—whom Browne called "a special player"—likely moves to the top of the depth chart.

He'll be a sophomore in terms of eligibility next season, the same as Browne. When both are juniors—Dixon a true junior, Browne a redshirt—the reps taken together at Howard Jones Field could play out before a 90,000-plus crowd in the Coliseum.

But that's still another season away. Browne said he's starting 2015 with a steady regimen in the weight room, focusing on one area in particular necessary for him to take the next step.

"A pitcher [in baseball] would say this—any thrower would say this—throwing the ball is all core [strength]," Browne said. "[Core strength helps with] taking the hits, too. It's all huge in that aspect."

None of this is to say Browne will be a shoo-in for the vacancy Kessler leaves in 2016—in this year's recruiting class, the Trojans are adding the latest pair of highly touted quarterback prospects in 4-star recruits Ricky Town and Sam Darnold.

"I was there once upon a time," Browne said of the incoming class, a nod to the challenges first-year quarterbacks face adapting to the speed and nuances of playing at the college level.

USC also returns 2014 quarterback recruit Jalen Greene, who, like Browne, will have plenty of practice reps and weight-room time logged once 2016 arrives.

There are hardly any more guarantees for Browne's future now than there were when he was a 5-star recruit in 2013. But after learning behind Kessler, Browne does have one guarantee for himself going forward.

"I'm just taking the mindset I've got to make the most of every rep I get," he said. "Not waste any." 

Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise cited. Statistics courtesy CFBstats.com. Recruiting rankings and information via 247Sports' composite scores.