Max Wittek will transfer following spring semester
Quarterback Max Wittek will transfer to another school for his final two seasons of eligibility after graduating from USC in May, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Moving on · Max Wittek stepped in for an injured Matt Barkley at the end of the 2012 season before losing the starting job last season. – Ralf Cheung | Daily Trojan
Wittek, who enrolled at USC in January 2011, won’t have to sit out a season as most transfers do since the NCAA allows players who have graduated to transfer without penalty.
Wittek finishes his USC career with 600 passing yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions. He completed 50 of 95 passes, and the Trojans were 1-3 when he played at least a half.
“My journey has been a little bit different,” Wittek told the Los Angeles Times. “It didn’t work out with the traditional picture-perfect ending, but I definitely look back with a lot of positive feelings.”
The Mater Dei-Santa Ana High School graduate had hoped to succeed Matt Barkley as USC’s starting quarterback last season, but ultimately lost the job to redshirt sophomore Cody Kessler. Wittek was the presumed favorite after serving as Barkley’s backup during the 2012 season, but a poor performance in that season’s Sun Bowl opened up the quarterback competition.
After the pair split time under center for the first two games, former head coach Lane Kiffin tabbed Kessler as the starter. Kessler went on to lead USC to a 10-4 record while passing for 2,968 yards and 20 touchdowns against seven interceptions.
Though Wittek never managed to achieve the success attained by fellow Mater Dei graduates Barkley and Matt Leinart at USC, the quarterback says he doesn’t regret trying to follow in their footsteps.
“I’ve been through a lot and USC has helped me become the man I am today and there is no better place,” Wittek told the Los Angeles Times. “The Trojan Family is amazing … Getting my degree from such a great university will mean a lot, and ultimately, allowing me to play right away with two years to play was the best way to go.”
Wittek has yet to determine which school he will transfer to. His departure leaves USC with three scholarship quarterbacks for spring practice — Kessler, redshirt freshman Max Browne and freshman Jalen Greene, who enrolled in January after graduating early from Junipero Serra-Gardena High School.