USC's Riley: Miller Moss Leads Jayden Maiava in QB Battle to Replace Caleb Williams

USC has big shoes to fill at quarterback with Caleb Williams departing, and the Trojans got a little closer to figuring out who the starter will be after their spring game on Saturday.

USC looked to returners Miller Moss and Jake Jenson along with UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava at quarterback during Saturday's game. Afterward, head coach Lincoln Riley said Moss leads the battle to be the starter, but Maiava is improving.

Last year, Moss had 681 passing yards, seven touchdowns and an interception in four appearances. He was the starter in the Trojans' Holiday Bowl matchup against Louisville, notching 372 passing yards, six touchdowns and an interception in a dominant 42-28 win.

In Saturday's spring game, Moss threw a pair of interceptions, but each quarterback that saw action also had an interception. Overall, it was still an impressive day for him.

Maiava, who played just one season at UNLV before transferring, had 3,085 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2023. While he may not be the starter at the moment, a big summer could lead to him taking the role from Moss before the season begins. He showed some flashes on Saturday in the spring game.

Whoever Riley decides to go with at quarterback will have a tall task following in the footsteps of the Heisman Trophy winner Williams. Perhaps Williams' success over the last two seasons will serve as motivation for Moss and Maiava.