Two USC Trojans listed among ESPN's top 100 players in CFB Rank 2024
ESPN released its annual CFB Rank article on Thursday, a list of college football’s top 100 players as voted by a panel of ESPN experts. Two USC Trojans are among those top 100 players.
According to ESPN, the formula for ranking players was as follows: They considered players’ past contributions on the field, along with their anticipated roles for 2024, their recruiting pedigrees and their draft stocks and formulated a reasonable expectation for this coming season. Then they debated, argued and discussed to put them in order, 1 through 100.
USC isn’t close to the top programs represented on the list. Ohio State leads the way with seven. Georgia has six. Two USC opponents – Michigan and Notre Dame – each have five. It’s another example of how this team will need to outplay preseason expectations this season. And the two players listed will play significant roles there.
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QB Miller Moss – No. 91 (Not ranked last year)
Moss is one of 18 quarterbacks on the list, with 15 of those ahead of him. There are two clear assumptions with his inclusion here. One, that he will indeed be named the starter by head coach Lincoln Riley, who has held off on any public announcement. And two, that the small sample size is how he will continue to play as a starter. He threw for 372 yards and six touchdowns against Louisville. There seems to be some national faith that he can keep up something resembling that playing in Riley’s offense.
WR Zachariah Branch – No. 78 (No. 83 last year)
Expectations are high for Branch after an All-American season as a true freshman at USC. That came as a returner, where he created 774 combined return yards and a touchdown on both a punt and kickoff return. He said this offseason he wants to improve his game and production as a wide receiver and Riley echoed those thoughts. He’ll have plenty of eyes on him from defenders and opposing coaches, but his speed, agility and overall talents are undeniable.
USC center Jonah Monheim probably has a gripe in not being listed here. He’s been one of the best offensive linemen in the country while playing multiple different spots the past few years. He’ll have a chance to make a statement while playing center in the Big Ten this season. But it’s tough to be too critical of the list when it’s just the top 100 players. USC has some real potential on this team and players who could put themselves in position for a postseason list or next year’s CFB Rank. Wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane, safety Kamari Ramsey, offensive tackle Elijah Paige and defensive end Braylan Shelby are just a few of the players with eligibility remaining after this season who could make a big impression this fall.
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