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The No. 1 quarterback in the recruiting class of 2013 is looking for a new home, and Pitt could be it.
Max Browne is leaving USC as a graduate transfer and will take an official visit to Pitt this weekend. Kyle Bonagura of ESPN.com first reported the news and Panther-Lair.com later confirmed the report.
Browne was ranked No. 7 overall in the nation in the class of 2013 and No. 1 among pro-style quarterbacks that year, and he chose USC over offers from Alabama, Arizona State, Auburn, Cal, Clemson, Colorado, Oklahoma, Oregon State, Washington and Wisconsin.
He redshirted after enrolling early in 2013 and was the Trojans’ backup in 2014 and 2015. He was named the starter in training camp this season and started the first three games of the season before USC coach Clay Helton replaced him with redshirt freshman Sam Darnold.
In nine games of action this season, Browne completed 58-of-93 passes (62.4%) for 507 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Pitt is in the market for an instant boost at quarterback after the graduation of Nate Peterman, a two-year starter who joined the Panthers as a graduate transfer himself in 2015. Behind Peterman this season were redshirt senior Manny Stocker, redshirt freshman Ben DiNucci and freshman Thomas MacVittie. Incoming freshman Kenny Pickett will join Pitt in January as a midyear enrollee, but without any other additions, the Panthers’ depth chart at quarterback would feature three scholarship players - DiNucci, MacVittie and Pickett - with no experience beyond DiNucci’s three snaps in the victory formation at the end of Pitt’s blowout win over Duke this season.
Browne, by contrast, has played in 18 career games and attempted 112 career passes. He has one year of eligibility remaining and has already graduated from USC, so he has the option of enrolling at his next school in January, if he is so inclined.
As of Thursday night, Browne has no other visits scheduled after this weekend’s trip to Pitt.