Miller Moss Named USC's QB1 to Replace Caleb Williams Ahead of Season Opener vs. LSU

After losing dynamic quarterback Caleb Williams to the NFL, USC had huge shoes to fill for its starting quarterback position for the 2024 season.

Head coach Lincoln Riley tabbed redshirt junior Miller Moss as the Trojans' starter on Monday, per Paolo Uggetti of ESPN. The signal-caller had spent the first three years of his collegiate career as a backup, so his patience has finally been rewarded. He beat out Jayden Maiava, a transfer from UNLV, for the starting job.

In his limited action on the field, Moss has thrown for 681 yards and seven touchdowns in his career at USC. However, he turned heads when he assumed the starting role in the Holiday Bowl last season after Williams chose to sit out the game in preparation for the NFL draft, where he ended up being the No. 1 pick by the Chicago Bears.

Moss stepped in and completed 23 of his 33 passes for 372 yards and a Holiday Bowl-record six touchdowns to lead the Trojans to a 42-28 win over Louisville.

While it took the entire spring and most of the summer for Moss to be named the starter for the 2024 season, he made himself the frontrunner with his performance in the Holiday Bowl.

"He might've scared off anybody that wanted to come here," Riley said at the time. "Miller could've bolted off at different times, but he's stayed here. He's gotten better."

Moss will get his first taste of being the full-time starter for the Trojans when USC opens the 2024 season on Sept. 1 against LSU in Las Vegas.