By the end of last season, Max Browne had the look of a starting quarterback. In spring, he practiced like one. All along, he's been preparing like one.
We caught up with USC's backup quarterback this week to discuss his development and his recent opportunities directing the team in summer workouts.
What was it like without Cody Kessler around last week?
MB: “To be honest, it felt pretty normal. I think going out there with the ones, guys don’t really (think), Oh, wow, it’s a new quarterback. Guys aren’t surprised. I think it’s just a next-man-up kind of mentality. I kind of pride myself when I’m out here when Cody’s here and I’m leading the twos that we don’t lose the tempo. A lot of young guys (and quick tempo) force me to be that much better, which is good. I felt that last week was a good experience going with the ones but at the same time, ones and twos, it doesn’t really matter right now.”
Do you feel like you’re pushing Kessler now?
MB: “I feel like I’ve always kind of been pushing him, but I think you’re spot on with, I definitely feel like I’m playing good ball, the gap is definitely, if there is one, it’s close. But at the same time, my goal is to focus on what I’m doing and be prepared with what Max Browne’s plan is. If that means I’m called upon, then so be it.”
Do you think about taking the starting job?
MB: “That’s how you have to think. The biggest thing is less worrying about who’s taking the first reps and more so worrying about, Am I ready to go in whether that’s in the first quarter of the first game or week eight in the fourth quarter and we need to score a touchdown? That’s the mental battle I play with myself. I never know when that opportunity’s coming. I’m always staying strict on my work ethic and grind and just staying prepared.”
Do you want to prove something in the competition?
MB: “I like to push myself and there’s something to be said about it. Everyone wants to play and everyone wants to show they’re the best. But it’s not so much a personal thing, Max vs. Cody, but more so a football player vs. another football player just competing, going out there and showing what you got and putting your best foot forward.”
Obviously you’ve progressed since your freshman season mentally and physically. But how much of your progression is Steve Sarkisian's playbook?
MB: “I’m from Washington, obviously, so my coaches would talk to those coaches and get some plays. A lot of the schemes are the same. And to be honest, under Coach (Lane) Kiffin’s offense, I was so young that everything, bullets were flying everywhere. Everyone kind of said the second year is where you take that next jump, especially in an NFL, big-time offense like that. And I never got that second year. So it’s hard to tell but at the same time I enjoy Sark’s offense, I enjoy his play calling, I think it’s really explosive and it’s suited me well so far.”
What has playing in multiple offenses done for you?
MB: “Moving forward, it’s just prepared me well. I went from a senior running one offense to running one offense, Kiffin’s offense, and then a year later, Sark’s. It’s just getting me used to different schemes. From what I’ve learned, every scheme has a lot of similarities. It wasn’t a huge difference but it was a jump back and forth between the two.”
What are you trying to accomplish this year?
MB: “I think a goal for me is to not have a single drop off between the first and second string, as far as my position goes and staying ready and helping our team win.”
We caught up with USC's backup quarterback this week to discuss his development and his recent opportunities directing the team in summer workouts.
What was it like without Cody Kessler around last week?
MB: “To be honest, it felt pretty normal. I think going out there with the ones, guys don’t really (think), Oh, wow, it’s a new quarterback. Guys aren’t surprised. I think it’s just a next-man-up kind of mentality. I kind of pride myself when I’m out here when Cody’s here and I’m leading the twos that we don’t lose the tempo. A lot of young guys (and quick tempo) force me to be that much better, which is good. I felt that last week was a good experience going with the ones but at the same time, ones and twos, it doesn’t really matter right now.”
Do you feel like you’re pushing Kessler now?
MB: “I feel like I’ve always kind of been pushing him, but I think you’re spot on with, I definitely feel like I’m playing good ball, the gap is definitely, if there is one, it’s close. But at the same time, my goal is to focus on what I’m doing and be prepared with what Max Browne’s plan is. If that means I’m called upon, then so be it.”
Do you think about taking the starting job?
MB: “That’s how you have to think. The biggest thing is less worrying about who’s taking the first reps and more so worrying about, Am I ready to go in whether that’s in the first quarter of the first game or week eight in the fourth quarter and we need to score a touchdown? That’s the mental battle I play with myself. I never know when that opportunity’s coming. I’m always staying strict on my work ethic and grind and just staying prepared.”
Do you want to prove something in the competition?
MB: “I like to push myself and there’s something to be said about it. Everyone wants to play and everyone wants to show they’re the best. But it’s not so much a personal thing, Max vs. Cody, but more so a football player vs. another football player just competing, going out there and showing what you got and putting your best foot forward.”
Obviously you’ve progressed since your freshman season mentally and physically. But how much of your progression is Steve Sarkisian's playbook?
MB: “I’m from Washington, obviously, so my coaches would talk to those coaches and get some plays. A lot of the schemes are the same. And to be honest, under Coach (Lane) Kiffin’s offense, I was so young that everything, bullets were flying everywhere. Everyone kind of said the second year is where you take that next jump, especially in an NFL, big-time offense like that. And I never got that second year. So it’s hard to tell but at the same time I enjoy Sark’s offense, I enjoy his play calling, I think it’s really explosive and it’s suited me well so far.”
What has playing in multiple offenses done for you?
MB: “Moving forward, it’s just prepared me well. I went from a senior running one offense to running one offense, Kiffin’s offense, and then a year later, Sark’s. It’s just getting me used to different schemes. From what I’ve learned, every scheme has a lot of similarities. It wasn’t a huge difference but it was a jump back and forth between the two.”
What are you trying to accomplish this year?
MB: “I think a goal for me is to not have a single drop off between the first and second string, as far as my position goes and staying ready and helping our team win.”
