Quarterback Miller Moss was named as a starter by coach Lincoln Riley’s USC Trojans last season. He led the program in nine games, tallying a 4-5 record. He completed 233 of 362 passes for 2,555 yards, 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Moss was replaced by backup quarterback Jayden Maiava following the loss against Washington. This resulted in Moss taking to the transfer portal at the conclusion of the 2024 regular season and committing to ACC’s Louisville Cardinals.
On Thursday, On3 analyst J.D. PicKell shed some light on why Riley might have let go of Moss to the transfer portal.
“Miller Moss was not a hand-selected quarterback by Lincoln Riley,” PicKell said (3:04). “He was already there. He kept him. He obviously decided to make him the starting quarterback, but it wasn’t someone Lincoln Riley—who’s this QB guru, QB whisperer—was plotting to bring into USC.”
Miller Moss joined the Trojans in 2021. At the time, Riley was with Oklahoma, serving as their head coach. Riley joined the Trojans in 2022 and has since led the program to a 26-14 record and 17-10 in the Big Ten Conference.
Meanwhile, Moss, who served as Caleb Williams’ backup the first few years, finally got his turn in 2024, but it seems he didn’t impress Riley enough to make him stay.
Miller Moss at Louisville: Why the Former USC QB Took His Talents to the ACC?
Miller Moss’ decision to transfer was very telling. After being replaced by the Trojans as the starting quarterback, he couldn’t afford to sit on the bench in his final college year. Therefore, he took his talents to the Louisville Cardinals, where he could get the starting job.
At ACC Media Days, Moss shared that Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm and his pro-style offense were a major draw.
“Yeah, I mean, I think there were very specific things I was looking for, you know, in a school and an opportunity,” Moss said at ACC Media Days. “And I think, you know, Coach Brohm, and the University of Louisville, which obviously includes the program, offered a ton of that. I think the opportunity to win and compete at a high level is certainly a part of that. And I think we have and I think we absolutely have that opportunity this year. I think the ability to develop within a pro style offense … was important to me.”
In four seasons with the Trojans, Miller Moss tallied 3,469 passing yards along with 27 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He’ll look to pad up his resume while with Louisville in 2025 so as to raise his draft stock for the 2026 NFL draft.
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