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Ex-USC QB Max Browne commits to Pitt as grad transfer

sam cooper
College football writer
Max Browne started USC's first three games at quarterback. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Max Browne started USC’s first three games at quarterback. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Max Browne is headed to the ACC.

Browne, who began the season as USC’s starting quarterback, announced Thursday he will transfer to Pittsburgh in January. Browne already earned his degree from USC, so he will be eligible to suit up immediately for the Panthers in 2017.

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Browne made the decision to commit to Pitt after visiting campus over the weekend.

Browne started the first three games of the season for USC, but was benched after a 1-2 start in favor of redshirt freshman Sam Darnold. USC lost in Darnold’s first career start, but have since reeled off eight straight wins and will face Penn State in the Rose Bowl.

In his three starts, Browne threw for 474 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 63.2 percent of his passes. Browne spent the 2014 and 2015 seasons as USC’s No. 2 QB behind Cody Kessler, a 2016 third round NFL draft pick of the Cleveland Browns.

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Browne said earlier this month that he did not plan to stay at USC through the team’s bowl game.

At Pittsburgh, Browne will compete to replace Nate Peterman as the Panthers’ starting quarterback. Pitt also has sophomore Bo Schneider, redshirt freshman Ben DiNucci and true freshman Thomas MacVittie on scholarship, plus a verbal commitment from 2017 prospect Kenny Pickett, a three-star recruit from New Jersey.

Pitt, 8-4 on the season, will face Northwestern in the Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 28.

For more Pittsburgh news, visit Panther-lair.com.

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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!