Miller Moss’ surprising journey could lead on USC to the Faculty Soccer Playoff

Being the successor to a No. 1 general recruit in his class is a tricky activity. Particularly if that No. 1 general recruit is former USC quarterback Caleb Williams, who was a Heisman winner and was simply taken with the primary choose within the 2024 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears.

Effectively, that’s the state of affairs that USC quarterback Miller Moss fell into this offseason.

Moss, a four-star recruit in Class of 2021, has been the overshadowed quarterback at USC all through his profession. He dedicated to the Trojans again in 2020 below former head coach Clay Helton, however plans modified when Lincoln Riley was employed, as he introduced Williams over with him from Oklahoma.

Moss was initially in a quarterback room that included starter Kedon Slovis and 2021 four-star Jaxson Dart, however each signal-callers transferred out when Riley was employed, whereas the Moss elected to remain at USC and compete behind Williams.

Issues grew to become much more difficult when Riley was in a position to carry over the No. 1 quarterback within the Class of 2023, five-star quarterback Malachi Nelson, as part of his quarterback recruiting cycle each two years. Nelson had been dedicated to Oklahoma below Riley and remained dedicated to the top coach at his new college.

With Williams anticipated to depart after the 2023 season and Nelson ready within the wings, it was unclear what the long run appeared like for Moss, who was already a redshirt sophomore final 12 months.

Nonetheless, the previous four-star wasn’t deterred by the problem, as an alternative competing and incomes the backup job to Williams final 12 months. Then, with Williams opting out of the bowl recreation, Moss lastly received his shot and ran with it, throwing for 372 yards and 6 touchdowns in USC’s 42-28 win over Louisville within the Vacation Bowl final 12 months.

The muddied quarterback state of affairs at USC cleared up close to the tip of the 12 months final season, as five-star Malachi Nelson apparently entered the switch portal earlier than the bowl recreation, whereas Williams entered the draft as anticipated. That left a gap at quarterback, though it was unclear initially whether or not the Trojans would entertain a switch choice to compete with Moss, even along with his robust efficiency within the bowl recreation.

There have been a number of rumors surrounding the Trojans with connections to a number of switch quarterbacks, however USC in the end remained put, as an alternative touchdown UNLV redshirt sophomore Jayden Maiava to rebalance the numbers following the departures.

Photograph by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Photographs

Moss and Maiava competed throughout the early portion of the offseason for the beginning job, however it was clear that the previous was going to be the man for USC this season, with the redshirt junior lastly incomes his alternative after a protracted wait within the shadows.

Now, expectations have been excessive for Moss coming into the 12 months, as he was following in Williams’s footsteps and was tasked with main the best way for a USC workforce that closely struggled on the defensive finish in 2023, resulting in a sub-optimal 7-5 common season file after going 11-3 in 2022.

So, how has the quarterback fared for the Trojans to start the 12 months?

Effectively, USC has skyrocketed up the AP Prime 25, beginning the 12 months robust with a 27-20 upset win over the LSU Tigers the place Moss appeared the half, tossing for 378 yards and a rating, whereas finishing 75 p.c of his passes within the highway win.

Then, the Trojans blew out Utah State in Week 2 to the tune of 48-0 and Moss wasn’t tasked with doing a lot, as soon as once more finishing at the very least 70 p.c of his passes, whereas throwing for 229 yards and a landing within the win.

USC confronted their hardest problem up to now in Week 4, as they went up towards the daunting Michigan protection, and Moss had his ups and downs. Going through fixed stress behind a makeshift offensive line, the quarterback accomplished simply 28 of 51 passes for 283 yards, three scores and an interception.

Moss, as soon as once more, made well timed throws and practically led his workforce to a victory, however the Trojans fell simply brief in a 27-24 loss.

By way of three video games although, Moss and the Trojans seem like the actual deal as they enter the Large Ten, with the Wisconsin Badgers subsequent up on the docket this weekend.

Whereas Moss has spearheaded the USC offense, creating a fast connection along with his bevy of pass-catchers, the Trojans protection has held up as effectively, which was a giant concern in 2023.

That has led USC to a Prime 15 rating by means of the primary 4 weeks, even with the loss to Michigan, retaining the Trojans firmly within the expanded Faculty Soccer Playoff image early within the season.

At 6’1”, 205 kilos, Moss isn’t essentially the most bodily imposing quarterback, neither is he essentially the most athletic.

Nonetheless, it’s clear that he has the sheer confidence wanted on the quarterback place, whereas his teammates are rallying round him, resulting in a powerful begin for USC in 2024. His play will likely be carefully monitored because the season goes alongside, with the Trojans going through some powerful opponents resembling Penn State and Notre Dame. It’s been primarily positives for the brand new face of the USC program, even when it got here in an surprising manner.