USC season preview: Quarterbacks

Starter: Fifth-year senior Cody Kessler

Backups: Third-year sophomore Max Browne, freshman Sam Darnold

Who is gone: Freshman Ricky Town

Who is new: Darnold

Outlook: Kessler, 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds, is a third-year starter and Heisman Trophy candidate.

In 2014, Kessler threw 39 touchdowns and only five interceptions. His top target, receiver Nelson Agholor, departed for the NFL but Kessler is left with talented playmakers JuJu Smith-Schuster, Darreus Rogers, Steven Mitchell Jr. and Adoree’ Jackson.

Browne, 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, was among the most improved players during spring practice and continued to make strides in fall training camp. Browne said during camp that he felt ready if he was needed to play in a game.

Darnold, 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, is likely to redshirt, Coach Steve Sarkisian said.

Town, who enrolled at USC last January, transferred after a week of fall camp to Arkansas.

Redshirt freshman Jalen Greene switched positions from quarterback to receiver.

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