USC Trojans quarterback Miller Moss sat behind the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but now it’s his time to shine in Southern California. But before he was a three-year backup with the Trojans, Moss was a star in nearby Mission Hills, California.
Here’s what you need to know about Moss’ high school background and journey to USC.
Miller Moss’ Journey From Local Star to USC Backup
Moss grew up in nearby Mission Hills and played early and often at prep powerhouse Bishop Alemany. There, he struggled a bit in his first year as a starter, throwing 14 interceptions as a sophomore.
Nevertheless, Moss broke out as a junior, throwing for 3,118 yards and 28 touchdowns, winning a local player of the year vote and making the All-Juniors team for the state of California.
That junior year performance put him on the national map, and the offers began pouring in. Moss ultimately followed that with a strong senior season and ended up as a top-100 recruit on 247 Sports’ composite rankings for the class of 2021 — choosing the Trojans over schools like Alabama, Georgia, and Auburn.
Moss chose to stay home, but that doesn’t mean he was on the fast track to starting. In fact, it would be a few years before he would even factor into the quarterback rotation.
Moss Stays Patient, Earns Starting Job
Moss enrolled early at USC but didn’t see action as a freshman in 2021. In 2022 and 2023, he was Caleb Williams’ primary backup, seeing action in 10 games, primarily in relief.
Prior to the 2023 Holiday Bowl, Moss had only attempted 59 passes. Yet, in that bowl game against Louisville, he set the game’s record for most touchdown passes (6) and threw for 372 yards. Unsurprisingly, he was named the MVP of the game.
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Now, it’s Moss’ team. With just 79 career pass attempts under his belt, Moss is one of the most inexperienced starters in the Power Four. But with Lincoln Riley as his head coach, the expectations are sky high in Southern California.
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