Max Wittek is transferring from USC. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
USC backup quarterback Max Wittek plans to transfer to another school, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Wittek, who will graduate at the end of the semester, informed new USC coach Steve Sarkisian of his decision Wednesday.
Wittek would be able to play immediately because of an NCAA rule that allows graduates to transfer without losing a year of eligibility. The fourth-year junior has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
“I had talked to Coach a couple of times,” Wittek told the Times. “What it really came down to was a feel for me. … 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 lost out to Cody Kessler last spring for the right to replace Matt Barkley. Wittek and Kessler spent the first two games splitting time before then-coach Lane Kiffin settled on Kessler as the starter.
In five appearances last season, Wittek completed 14 of 26 passes for 212 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. In his USC career, he completed 50 of 95 passes for 600 yards with three touchdowns and six interceptions.
“We thank Max for his contributions to Trojan football and wish him the best in his future,” Sarkisian wrote on Twitter.
