LOS ANGELES — Miller Moss has dreamed of playing for Southern California for as long as he can remember.

Growing up, he watched legends like Matt Barkley and Sam Darnold lead the USC quarterback legacy. When the four-star recruit arrived on campus in 2021, it seemed he was poised to continue that legacy.

During his freshman year, Moss had to wait behind Kedon Slovis and Jaxson Dart. Although both left after the season, USC brought Lincoln Riley from Oklahoma, who soon recruited Caleb Williams, his former quarterback. Under Williams, the team experienced a revival, winning a Heisman Trophy and seeing Williams being chosen as the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Moss could have easily chosen to transfer like numerous quarterbacks have done in recent years. No one would have blamed him for seeking a better starting opportunity.

Despite the challenges, Moss remained steadfast, believing that his opportunity would eventually come.

Now, that moment has arrived. Moss is set to be the starting quarterback for No. 23 USC as they take on No. 12 LSU in Las Vegas to kick off the 2024 season — the first under the Big Ten banner, as the team aims to reestablish itself as a national powerhouse.

In a world where things change rapidly, his patience paid off.

“I just approached it with the mindset that if I keep working hard, if I stay committed to my team and myself, then my time will eventually come,” Moss shared with YSL News Sports. “So far, it has worked out.”

While Riley said that the competition for the starting position was close between Moss and UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava, Moss cemented his status with an outstanding performance in the 2023 Holiday Bowl.

Filling in for Williams, Moss dazzled with 372 passing yards and a record-breaking six touchdown passes, earning him the title of offensive MVP in a 42-28 win over Louisville. Following this impressive debut, Riley remarked that Moss’s performance might deter anyone considering transferring to USC.

Miller Moss’s Decision to Stay at USC

Still, Maiava didn’t just roll over; he challenged Moss throughout fall camp. Riley acknowledged Maiava’s improvements, stating he was “neck and neck” with Miller in the competition. Ultimately, Moss was the choice to lead the team.

“Miller clearly gives this team the best chance to excel,” Riley commented. “He has built on the momentum from the bowl game and spring, performing at a consistently high level. His daily consistency as both a player and a leader is vital to his success.”

Waiting for three seasons on the sideline was challenging for Moss, who admitted it could be “frustrating” to only play in blowouts or fill in for injured starters. Despite this, transferring was never on his radar.

“Transferring seems to be a trend nowadays,” Moss noted. “But for my family and me, it wasn’t about following the crowd. I decided it was crucial to trust my journey, and every time I faced a pivotal choice, the right move was to stay at USC and continue developing. I’m glad I made that choice.”

Learning from Caleb Williams

Even though it was tough to sit behind a player like Caleb Williams, Moss speaks highly of him, noting the strong relationship they built. Moss admired how Williams, despite being in the limelight, remained supportive of the entire quarterback group.

Moss learned a great deal from Williams, particularly about exhibiting confidence regardless of performance. He appreciated Williams’s unwavering positivity, which was evident when Williams cheered for him after the Holiday Bowl.

While Moss isn’t sure whether Williams endorsed him for the starting job, they both wished each other well as they moved forward.

<p“What did he advise me? Just to go for it,” Moss said.

“People may find it surprising, given the trend of pitting quarterbacks against each other, but Caleb and I had a collaborative spirit. We always understood that our goal was to help the team succeed,” Moss added.

“Competing with him over the past two years helped shape my skills, and I will always be thankful for that experience.”

Embracing USC’s Quarterback Legacy

Moss is well aware of the legacy he is stepping into, especially following a previous starter who brought home a Heisman Trophy to USC. While he feels honored to be named the starter, Moss understands the significance of his role and is determined to create his own legacy.
He’s not interested in mimicking Williams or any other successful quarterbacks who have graced the field at the Los Angeles Memorial.

Playing at home in the Coliseum might be essential for another Trojan quarterback to achieve success.

“It’s not really about those who’ve played before me or those who will play after. It’s about sticking to my own process and how I approach the game,” stated Moss. “If I can do that, then I believe I will succeed.”

Is There Potential for USC’s Defense to Improve?

While much discussion centers around Moss leading an offense featuring stars like speedy Zachariah Branch and center Jonah Monheim, none of this will matter if USC’s defense remains a weak link.

In the previous season, the Trojans allowed an average of 34.4 points per game, placing them 121st out of 133 Bowl Subdivision teams and performing poorly in several defensive metrics. The situation became so dire that head coach Riley felt compelled to dismiss long-time defensive coordinator Alex Grinch after a bad game against Washington.

Riley needed someone who could promptly revamp the defense, and he found that person just a short distance away.

USC successfully recruited UCLA’s defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, who had transformed the Bruin defense into a formidable unit. The evidence was clear in national rankings, and Riley personally experienced the defense’s strength when UCLA restricted USC to just 20 points and a mere three rushing yards in their matchup last season.

Hiring Lynn was an obvious choice for Riley, and the new defensive coordinator was eager to join the Trojans, a program he always viewed as a hub for notable professional defenders.

<p“Being involved in such a rich tradition and culture is something I couldn’t pass up,” Lynn expressed. “Plus, with the team transitioning into the Big Ten and the task of overhauling the defense, I felt it was an irresistible opportunity.”

The move to a new conference will undoubtedly present various challenges for USC. Besides confronting a challenging non-conference schedule that features LSU and Notre Dame, the Trojans will also face Michigan, Wisconsin, and Penn State in just four weeks, resulting in one of the toughest schedules nationwide.

Understanding the grueling nature of the Big Ten, Lynn and his coaching staff aimed to not only fortify the defense but also beef up the entire team. This offseason, the Trojans collectively gained 1,400 pounds, according to USC’s director of sports nutrition, Rachel Suba.

Lynn sought to create a robust defensive line that would stand up to the challenges this season. By focusing on increasing size and strength while reducing body fat, the goal is for the Trojans to withstand tough hits while maintaining their speed. Lynn noted that every player managed to meet their weight goals.

“We didn’t want to just add weight for the sake of it. It has to be functional weight that the players can handle,” he explained. “We believed each of our guys had the capacity to gain additional weight without compromising their agility and speed.”

Lynn acknowledges that the defense isn’t perfect yet, but it’s on the path to improvement as the season unfolds.

“It’s a new year, a new defense. The past is behind us,” Lynn stated. “Our players are eager to demonstrate how much they’ve improved.”

The time for discussing potential improvements is running short. The Trojans now need to prove they deserve a high ranking in the Big Ten. Following a disappointing season for Riley, this is the moment for the team to deliver results and show that they won’t repeat past failures.

“It has to all come together on Saturdays,” Riley emphasized.