Miller Moss, Calen Bullock Reflect on USC Spring Surprise Standouts

Quarterback Miller Moss and safety Calen Bullock were guests on the latest episode of USC Athletics’ official The Victory Podcast with Keely Eure. On it, the two sophomores were asked about USC spring standouts and players who surprised them with their performances.

It’s always interesting to hear players talk about teammates in that way. It can offer a different perspective than what the coaches will see and say.

Interestingly, Bullock was one of the players singled out by head coach Lincoln Riley for his positive play this spring.

“He’s strung together a couple of good days in a row and made some pretty big plays, situationally,” Riley said late in spring ball.

Moss, too, drew significant praise from Riley.

“I really enjoy coaching Miller,” Riley said, calling Moss Exhibit A as to the players who have improved this spring. “He’s had 50% of the reps and he is one of the guys that have taken full advantage. He has strung together several nice days in a row right now. He’s throwing the ball extremely well. Mentally, he’s getting more comfortable every day, he’s played very efficient, he’s made a lot of explosive plays.”

Moss’s USC Spring Standouts

Moss said he’s hesitant to call out specific standouts because he doesn’t want it to seem like he’s overlooking or discrediting those he didn’t mention.

But he did heap praise pretty much across the entire offense.

“I think the offensive line as a whole played really, really well throughout spring,” Moss said. “Our backs are great. Trav (Travis Dye) and Austin (Austin Jones) really impressed me in so many different ways throughout spring.”

Moss also called attention to the deep and talented wide receiver room.

“Obviously we have a great receiver room,” Moss said, singling out Kyle Ford, Brenden Rice and Kyron Ware-Hudson. “Kyle was great after the catch throughout spring. B-Rice made some athletic plays. Kyron played really, really well.”

And as a true offensive player, Moss cut his praise short there.

“Defensive I won’t give as much credit to,” Moss said with a laugh.

Bullock’s USC Spring Standouts

Luckily, Bullock took on the role of praising some defensive players.

He quickly pointed to a couple of his defensive backfield buddies in Latrell McCutchin and Mekhi Blackmon.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard a player or coach praise Blackmon’s play from this spring. He finished spring ball injured and wasn’t able to show his ability to the USC fans in attendance at the spring game. But Riley called out Blackmon as perhaps the defense’s biggest playmaker through the first half of spring ball.

McCutchin will be compared to Bullock as a long, rangy defensive back who can play all five positions in the secondary.

“They were great when they came in,” Bullock said.

Bullock also went over to the other side of the ball. He spoke highly of quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Mario Williams.

“You kind of hear the hype about them too and you can’t wait to see it yourself,” Bullock said. “When they got on the field, they showed it…Those four surprised me when they came in and I was very excited to see them play.”

Bullock said going against the former Oklahoma quarterback and receiver made for a fun spring ball. He said both players talk more than their share of trash on the field.

“It was really fun going out and competing with them,” Bullock said. “They talk a lot of trash on the field. But they’re just pushing us to be great and it’s going to help us all in the long run.”

Transfers Will Make an Impact

It’s notable that of the nine players specifically mentioned by Moss and Bullock, seven of them are additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Riley and his assistants made a significant effort to reshape the roster via the transfer portal and the Trojans have now added 20 new bodies who will be available to play this fall.

Many are expected to grab starting spots. And Williams, Dye and Blackmon are three who could be looked upon as team or position group leaders this season.