Breaking down if Miller Moss has edge in USC QB race for 2024 season

USC found out it had some legit quarterback depth at the end of the 2023 season with Miller Moss, so the problem could be solved for 2024.

Moss, who started the Holiday Bowl in place of Caleb WIlliams, looks like the starter this coming fall. Former UNLV quarterback Jayden Maiava transferred into the program this offseason after the Trojans initially looked at Kansas State’s Will Howard.

With Howard off to Ohio State, On3’s Jesse Simonton broke down why Moss has the edge going into the new season.

“I would lean towards Miller Moss just because that seems to be where the tea leaves are,” Simonton said on Andy Staples On3. “One of the things Lincoln Riley said right after that (Holiday Bowl), which maybe some of the viewers don’t remember. Again playing the musical chairs game here. You know, they were famously in it for Will Howard. Lincoln Riley had flown to Kansas and had gone to visit Kansas State’s quarterback and it seemed like all the stars were aligning for Will Howard to end up, you know, being the Trojans guy in 2024. 

“Well, then Miller Moss has this awesome game and right after the game Lincoln Riley’s like ‘yeah, he probably scared off some guys.’ And sure enough, Will Howard, you know the crystal ball started changing. Will Howard heads to Ohio State.”

In the Holiday Bowl win over Louisville, a 42-28 victory, Moss finished 23-of-33 passing for 372 yards, six touchdowns and one interception.

As a member of the Class of 2021, Moss was a four-star recruit out of Mission Hills (Calif.) Bishop Alemany, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 7 overall prospect in the state, the No. 11 quarterback in the class and the No. 79 overall prospect in the class.

“I can’t really describe it, I’m trying to pinch myself right now,” Moss said after the Holiday Bowl. “But I’m just really, really happy for this team. The work we put in, in the last six weeks, the way we came together; I’m really, really happy with how we finished. We finished on a good note after all the adversity this year. I’m really proud of these guys.

“I don’t think it’s as much about me as it is about the team. The emphasis was really coming together as a team: no ego, no individual. It’s all about us as a team, bonding together, and that’s what we’re gonna focus on going forward.”