Battle for quarterback at USC

Behind the scenes, it’s likely that he’s the guy to beat.  From Newport Beach, California, Wittek was one of the most highly touted prep quarterbacks in 2010 and at 6’4” 235 pounds, he has size and the ability to make any throw plus he has a gun for an arm.  His two efforts as a starter last season weren’t very good but the team was falling apart so it’s hard to evaluate those games.With the ability to get the ball into tight spots, the starting position is Wittek's to lose, even if the coaches say the competition is wide open.  Kessler has the capacity to usually win competitions in practice but the coaches generally go with the bigger and physically stronger armed Wittek.  In all probability, that won’t change.As one of the top players coming out of high school in Bakersfield, California, he has shown leadership qualities with a knack for taking hold of a huddle.  Kessler is 6’1” 215 pounds and is quite strong along with being good on his feet.  He can make all the throws but doesn’t have the gun his two compatriots have.     When Barkley was starting, it was thought that Kessler was the backup although he never had a chance to jump in for regular action.  Yet, at the end of last season when Barkley was injured, Wittek was named starter, continuing to relegate Kessler to backup status.He looked very good as practice started, making a lot of plays – and that’s why he has a shot at winning the starting position.  Kessler seems to be the forgotten man here but it’s not beyond the realm of possibilities that he could beat out his two larger competitors.Rated as the number one quarterback in the nation by most rating systems, some consider him the best prep player -- period.  Regardless, the 6’5” 215 pound Browne from Sammamish, Washington, enrolled early and is participating in spring practice.  Primarily a pocket passer, he has a rifle for an arm and already has the mechanics of a pro and can make every throw.  First impressions of Browne at practice are fine as he already looks good in the system though he’s getting used to being under center – in high school he played in the shotgun.  It’s too early to tell plus he has a lot to learn, so the idea of him beating out the other two, who were highly touted and are in their third spring practice, would be a stretch at this point.But the future looks bright for Browne and autographed balls like the one pictured could become valuable in the years to come.View the list »
Former USC Trojan Quarterback Matt Barkley

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For the past four seasons, the University of Southern California Trojans have had Matt Barkley under center. Except for some typical freshman mistakes, the four-year starter has reigned supreme as the signal caller on the field at USC as the most prolific passer in Pac-12 history. However, those days are gone and with spring practice under way, the battle for the starting position has begun.

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The Trojans have new assistant coaches and an entirely new defense as head coach Lane Kiffin tries to revamp a team that, although loaded with talent, didn’t perform well last season after being the preseason favorite to go all the way.

High quality replacements

Assuredly, the biggest change is at quarterback where three players will fight it out for the right to be called first string and lead the men of Troy in 2013. Those three QBs are: redshirt sophomores Max Wittek and Cody Kessler plus incoming freshman Max Browne. These three competitors all have tremendous upsides with the already enrolled super frosh possibly the most talented of all of them. All three could be starting at most other FBS school.

There are plenty of great receivers to throw to including the number one wideout in the land last year, Marqise Lee (source: L.A. Times). So let’s take a look at this threesome and see how they breakdown (listed alphabetically).

Source: University of Southern California

View the list
  • Rated as the number one quarterback in the nation by most rating systems, some consider him the best prep player -- period.  Regardless, the 6’5” 215 pound Browne from Sammamish, Washington, enrolled early and is participating in spring practice.  Primarily a pocket passer, he has a rifle for an arm and already has the mechanics of a pro and can make every throw.  First impressions of Browne at practice are fine as he already looks good in the system though he’s getting used to being under center – in high school he played in the shotgun.  It’s too early to tell plus he has a lot to learn, so the idea of him beating out the other two, who were highly touted and are in their third spring practice, would be a stretch at this point.But the future looks bright for Browne and autographed balls like the one pictured could become valuable in the years to come.
  • As one of the top players coming out of high school in Bakersfield, California, he has shown leadership qualities with a knack for taking hold of a huddle.  Kessler is 6’1” 215 pounds and is quite strong along with being good on his feet.  He can make all the throws but doesn’t have the gun his two compatriots have.     When Barkley was starting, it was thought that Kessler was the backup although he never had a chance to jump in for regular action.  Yet, at the end of last season when Barkley was injured, Wittek was named starter, continuing to relegate Kessler to backup status.He looked very good as practice started, making a lot of plays – and that’s why he has a shot at winning the starting position.  Kessler seems to be the forgotten man here but it’s not beyond the realm of possibilities that he could beat out his two larger competitors.
  • Behind the scenes, it’s likely that he’s the guy to beat.  From Newport Beach, California, Wittek was one of the most highly touted prep quarterbacks in 2010 and at 6’4” 235 pounds, he has size and the ability to make any throw plus he has a gun for an arm.  His two efforts as a starter last season weren’t very good but the team was falling apart so it’s hard to evaluate those games.With the ability to get the ball into tight spots, the starting position is Wittek's to lose, even if the coaches say the competition is wide open.  Kessler has the capacity to usually win competitions in practice but the coaches generally go with the bigger and physically stronger armed Wittek.  In all probability, that won’t change.
View the list

, Paso Robles College Football Examiner

Daryle Hier has been involved in business as an owner for 30 years with many of them involving the auto industry. He also has been a sports fanatic with motorsports and football as his true loves. Other interests include Hawaii and the California Central Coast. He is a Top 100 writer for...

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