Miller Moss may be dubbed the “smartest QB I’ve had,” according to USC coach Lincoln Riley, and his performance thus far certainly backs up that claim. Just three games into his role as the starting quarterback for the Trojans, Moss has showcased his exceptional skills and strategic mind on the field.
In his first career start, Moss threw for 372 yards and six touchdowns, leading USC to a victory over Louisville in the Holiday Bowl last December. He continued to impress by amassing 378 passing yards and a touchdown in a thrilling upset against LSU during the 2024 season opener on September 1. Most recently, he contributed 229 yards and a passing touchdown in a dominant 48-0 shutout against Utah State.
Overall, Moss has accumulated 979 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and just one interception in his initial three starts. However, it is not merely these statistics that have captured Riley’s admiration.
“There’s no question [Moss] is really smart,” Riley shared with Keyshawn Johnson on the latest episode of “All Facts No Brakes.” He emphasized, “He’s one of the smartest ones, and maybe the smartest [quarterback] that I’ve had, which is saying something.”
Riley’s impressive track record includes coaching elite quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts, and Caleb Williams, all of whom have achieved remarkable success in the NFL. Each of these players not only won the Heisman Trophy but also became first overall picks in the NFL Draft, underscoring the caliber of quarterbacks Riley has developed.
As Williams recently made his professional debut with the Chicago Bears, the other three quarterbacks have enjoyed significant success in the NFL, collectively achieving six playoff berths and four playoff victories. Mayfield’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers even triumphed over Hurts’ Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round last season, setting the stage for both quarterbacks to lead their teams toward postseason aspirations in 2024.
Unlike many of his predecessors, Moss’s journey to the starting role has been uniquely personal. Growing up as a devoted Trojans fan in Santa Monica, California, he committed to USC during a challenging period under former coach Clay Helton. Even when Williams transferred to USC and excelled, Moss remained steadfast, demonstrating loyalty and dedication to the program.
“It [has] been well-documented — he dreamed of being a USC Trojan,” Riley remarked. “He stayed here when he didn’t have to. He really put the program — both the program and his dreams of not just playing quarterback at this level, but doing it at this school — he put that front and center and I think it’s earned him the respect of our team, the locker room and really the entire program.”
While Moss shines in the spotlight at USC, his former teammate Williams faced challenges in his NFL debut with the Bears. Although Chicago secured a 24-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans, Williams completed only 14 of 29 passes for a mere 93 yards, highlighting the steep learning curve in the professional league.
Riley, who has yet to review Williams’ game film, expressed confidence in his former star’s future. “It was a little bit of a tough outing in some ways, but that’s that league,” he noted. “There’s no doubt he’s going to make some great plays… I think he’s going to continue to adapt.”
At USC, Williams often faced immense pressure to perform at a superstar level, given the struggles of the Trojans’ defense during his tenure, particularly in 2023. However, Riley took proactive steps to revamp the defensive unit by hiring D’Anton Lynn from UCLA as the new defensive coordinator. This move brought in a talented staff, including Matt Entz, Doug Belk, and Eric Henderson, all of whom have impressive coaching backgrounds.
The results have been promising, as USC managed to limit a formidable LSU offense to just 20 points in the season opener and achieved their first shutout victory since 2011 against Utah State.
“He [has] done a great job,” Riley praised Lynn. “I give a lot of credit to him and, really, the entire defensive staff. I’ve been most impressed with how that group has come together.”
The Trojans will face their next challenge in the Big Ten opener against Michigan in Ann Arbor on September 21, following a bye week.
