USC Trojans Thrilled: Announcing Miller Moss as Starting QB

© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

After watching Caleb Williams head to the NFL, the USC Trojans named his backup, Miller Moss, their starting quarterback for 2024. Moss had the inside track to the QB1 role in coach Lincoln Riley’s Trojans offense after his performance in the 2023 Holiday Bowl, which Williams opted out of playing.

When he took center stage in the Holiday Bowl in San Diego, Moss showed Riley and the USC staff what he could do. He went 23-for-33, passing for 372 yards and 6 touchdowns. He led the Trojans to a 42-28 triumph over the Louisville Cardinals.

As of now, Moss’ overall statistics at USC are limited. He’s amassed 681 yards passing with 7 touchdowns on only 59 pass attempts. However, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound signal caller is poised to lead USC in its inaugural season in the Big Ten Conference.

Happy Coach

Moss made Riley’s decision much easier after the Trojans’ spring game. When UNLV quarterback Jayden Maiava transferred to USC in the offseason, a competition for the starting job ensued. It was Moss' job to lose. He didn't.

"Having people [who regard] this program [as] incredibly important ... is the key," Riley said in a recent interview. "I think in this day and age, with all of the movement, when you have guys like that, it's even more of an advantage than maybe it was five or 10 years ago because it's become a little bit harder to find. Miller has had a passion for this university and program for a long time. You've seen that in his ability to hang in there and to continue to get better."

"Miller did a great job," Riley commented after his standout performance in the Holiday Bowl. The coach went on to confirm that the starting job now belongs to Moss: "Shoot, he might've scared off anybody that wanted to come here anyway. He was awesome...Miller could've bolted off at different times, but he's stayed here. He's gotten better, and that's why a night like tonight happened. He's obviously a tremendous leader for our program, and he was a great leader for us tonight."

USC's Weapons

Moss is surrounded by ample talent, including an elite new running back, five-star wide receivers and one of the best offensive linemen in the country.

Jo'Quavious "Woody" Marks is one of the nation's top RBs, and he was recently named to the 2024 Doak Walker Award Watch List. Marks is a redshirt senior who transferred to USC from Mississippi State during the 2024 offseason. During four seasons in "Stark Vegas," Marks had 410 rushes for 1,883 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also excelled on special teams with an impressive average of 21 yards per kickoff return. He started 32 games for the Bulldogs, who utilized him frequently in their pass attack, in which he racked up 1,225 receiving yards. In fact, he holds nearly all MSU receiving records for a running back.

The USC coaching staff is counting on Marks to provide balance to the Trojans' offense, which features explosive talent at the wide receiver position, including sophomores Zachariah Branch and Duce Robinson—two five-star recruits in the 2023 cycle who enter the 2024 season with high expectations.

Veteran offensive lineman Jonah Monheim anchors the USC Trojans' front five and he is beginning to receive significant praise and recognition. Pro Football Focus recently rated Monheim one of the Top 10 offensive tackles returning to play at the collegiate level in 2024. Monheim is a redshirt senior. He is 6-foot-5 and 305 pounds. He demonstrated great versatility in his first four seasons at USC, starting 34 games at multiple positions along the line—18 at right tackle, 12 at left tackle and 4 at right guard.