Max Browne to USC: Star QB Recruit Will Strengthen Trojans' Football Program

With one flip of a hat, the USC Trojans secured their spot atop the college football world for years to come.

According to Brandon Huffman of Scout.com, Max Browne, the No. 1 quarterback recruit in the high school class of 2013, committed to Lane Kiffin's club on Wednesday night, choosing the Trojans over Oklahoma, Alabama and Washington.

"

Scout.com's #1 quarterback, Sammamish (Wash.) Skyline quarterback Max Browne has committed to USC...

— Brandon Huffman (@BrandonHuffman) April 5, 2012"

At first glance, it would seem unusual for the Skyline standout to announce his decision this soon, considering that top prep prospects don't usually settle on their collegiate destinations so early.

But in Browne's case, the move makes plenty of sense. The junior had already paid visits to his four finalists and, apparently, 'SC's combination of football and academics (but mostly football) made enough of an impression on him to hasten the timetable of his decision-making process.

It couldn't have hurt the Trojans to also have reeled in offensive lineman Zach Banner, Browne's Lakes teammate, on National Signing Day earlier this year.

The biggest selling point, though, as with any recruit, must've been the opportunity to compete for the starting gig right away. Heisman Trophy contender Matt Barkley will be gone after the 2012 season, leaving behind a quarterback competition that hasn't existed in the Trojans' backfield since before the former Mater Dei star first set foot on the USC campus.

Of course, nobody's about to hand Browne the job just because he's big, highly touted and can throw a football like Uncle Rico. He'll have to prove his mettle against a slew of other blue-chip prospects (i.e. Jesse Scroggins, Max Wittek and Cody Kessler) before anyone can start projecting Pac-12 titles and BCS bowl berths for the precocious kid.

That being said, Browne is aiming to finish high school in time for spring practice next year and should give Kiffin another elite quarterback around whom to fashion a post-Pete Carroll dynasty.

Despite the sanctions stemming from the Reggie Bush scandal still looming over 'SC in the form of scholarship limitations over the next three years, the acquisition of Browne is a positive sign for the USC football program.

Not that the Trojans should be particularly worried about that necessarily affecting their ability to rake on the recruiting trail. Kiffin and his staff have already scored verbal commitments from five-star defensive tackle Kenny Bigelow and four-star cornerback Chris Hawkins, and remain firmly in the mix for a slew of uncommitted high school stars, including Ty Isaac (No. 1 running back), Montravius Adams (No. 1 defensive tackle), Laremy Tunsil (No. 1 offensive tackle), Jaylon Smith (No. 1 outside linebacker) and Su'a Cravens (No. 2 safety).

To name a few.

Adding a marquee name like Browne can only help the Trojans lure more top-notch talents to Los Angeles. Browne is the sort of prospect that all of his peers want to play with, a guy who others know will lead them to victory on the biggest stages in collegiate pigskin and (here's the kicker), attract attention from NFL scouts in the process. 

As for Brown, well, he's already scored one of those precious few 'SC scholies for himself; one that the Trojans will be more than happy to grant him when he arrives in LA for his coronation next year.

And, they hope, brings all of his All-American friends with him.

Follow @J0shMart1n