Miller Moss delves into how his USC career evolved, his approach to limited playing time

All eyes are on Caleb Williams for USC this season as the Trojans’ QB1 will look to become just the second player in college football history to repeat as a Heisman Trophy winner.

But USC’s backup quarterback Miller Moss arrived in Los Angeles prior to Williams’ arrival along with head coach Lincoln Riley, and he recently spoke about his football journey and approach to playing his role.

“I think I’ve been dealt kind of a strange hand when it comes to my career so far in college football,” Moss admitted. “But like I’ve said before, I have a tremendous commitment to the school and a lot of love for this university and this program and I see myself being able to accomplish every goal I set out when I got here. Although it may take a different path than I had originally thought.”

Moss was a four-star prospect out of Bishop Alemany high school in Mission Hills, California ranked the No. 11 quarterback in the country for the 2021 class according to On3’s Industry Ranking.

He appeared in two games in his freshman season, retaining his redshirt after completing eight of his 13 pass attempts for 74 yards and a touchdown in his limited reps. But everything would change when the Trojans hired Lincoln Riley as their new head coach ahead of the 2022 season and they’d add Williams to their roster through the transfer portal as well.

Moss appeared in five games last season as Williams’ backup, and revealed what his mindset is now as he’ll serve in that role yet again.

“In terms of this season, I think just being in that room with Coach Riley and Coach Kingsbury is certainly very attractive when you talk about two of the most respected guys there are in the business in terms of coaching quarterbacks and developing quarterbacks,” Moss said. “You talk about the pedigree of the guys that they’ve been able to coach and I think also sharing and competing in the room with Caleb’s a huge advantage as well. If I’m gonna go at it with anyone in every single practice I’d love for it to be the Heisman Trophy winner.”

In his five game appearances last season for the Trojans, Moss completed 85.7% of his passes for 159 yards and a touchdown, and was also asked if there are any games this upcoming season he anticipates getting some action in.

“I mean obviously I want to play every single week … It’s not fair to look at a team and think they might be a lesser opponent and I’m more likely to play more,” Moss explained. “I think I prepare every single week like I’m gonna be playing in the game, like my number may be called upon and I think I’m just as ready no matter Week 1 , Week 7, whatever it is.”

Moss will continue working on his craft in the shadows, pushing Williams at practice and staying ready if needed. But it will definitely be interesting to see the development and work he’s put in possibly come to light for USC once the Caleb Williams era comes to an ends in Los Angeles following the 2023 season.