Pittsburgh will have to hire its third offensive coordinator since Pat Narduzzi arrived after Matt Canada, like Jim Chaney before him, was hired away by an SEC school (Canada to LSU, Chaney to Georgia in 2015), but at least the Panthers have already identified a possible replacement for starting quarterback Nate Peterman with the commitment of Southern California graduate transfer Max Browne.

Browne was a five-star prospect coming out of high school when he committed to the Trojans as part of their 2013 recruiting class. After two seasons as a backup, Browne got a chance to start three games in 2016 before Sam Darnold took over as QB1 in the Coliseum.

The quarterback depth behind Peterman, a graduate transfer himself coming from Tennessee in 2015, was a concern for the Panthers all season, but Peterman stayed healthy and productive. Pitt averaged a school-record 42.3 points this season with Peterman (26 passing touchdowns, six interceptions) under center.

Getting another experienced quarterback will give Pitt good competition in spring practice and a live quarterback who can start immediately should he win the job entering the fall.