SEATTLE -- While USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold was competing with Max Browne throughout the spring and into training camp, it was clear he was a talented player. He checked almost all the boxes: big, strong, athletic, an accurate thrower. His teammates seemed to respond well to him. When his time came, there was every reason to believe he would be successful.
A lot of those traits were also true about Browne. He was strong in the pocket and delivered a nice ball. On the deep throws, he was more advanced than Darnold. There were days in practice when Darnold was the superior player and others when Browne held that distinction.