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USC's Riley: Miller Moss Leads Jayden Maiava in QB Battle to Replace Caleb Williams

Andrew PetersApril 20, 2024

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 27: Miller Moss #7 of the USC Trojans looks to the sideline in the second half during the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl game against the Louisville Cardinals at Petco Park on December 27, 2023 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)
Brandon Sloter/Getty Images

USC has big shoes to fill at quarterback with Caleb Williams departing, and the Trojans got a little closer to figuring out who the starter will be after their spring game on Saturday.

USC looked to returners Miller Moss and Jake Jenson along with UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava at quarterback during Saturday's game. Afterward, head coach Lincoln Riley said Moss leads the battle to be the starter, but Maiava is improving.

Ryan Dyrud @RyanDyrudLAFB

Lincoln Riley says there is no question that Miller Moss is the leader in terms of starting QB. Maiava is rapidly improving, but if the season started today, Moss would be the starter.<a href="https://twitter.com/LAFBNetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LAFBNetwork</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/USC_LAFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USC_LAFB</a>

Luca Evans @bylucaevans

Lincoln Riley said, on a postgame question from <a href="https://twitter.com/Ryan_Kartje?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Ryan_Kartje</a>, that if USC had to name a starting QB today, it'd be Miller Moss. Said Jayden Maiava was "improving rapidly" but Moss is "certainly ahead right now."

Adam Bradford @Adam_Bradford14

Riley with high praise for Miller Moss despite the interceptions that he threw today. Also mentions that one of the things he was most impressed about him from the Holiday Bowl was how he bounced back after his interception.

Last year, Moss had 681 passing yards, seven touchdowns and an interception in four appearances. He was the starter in the Trojans' Holiday Bowl matchup against Louisville, notching 372 passing yards, six touchdowns and an interception in a dominant 42-28 win.

In Saturday's spring game, Moss threw a pair of interceptions, but each quarterback that saw action also had an interception. Overall, it was still an impressive day for him.

USC Football ✌️ @uscfb

Another one for Bryan Jackson!<br><br>📲: <a href="https://t.co/H8gtm9a666">https://t.co/H8gtm9a666</a><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/Pac12Network?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Pac12Network</a> <a href="https://t.co/LoPMP8AHsM">pic.twitter.com/LoPMP8AHsM</a>

Maiava, who played just one season at UNLV before transferring, had 3,085 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2023. While he may not be the starter at the moment, a big summer could lead to him taking the role from Moss before the season begins. He showed some flashes on Saturday in the spring game.

USC's Riley: Miller Moss Leads Jayden Maiava in QB Battle to Replace Caleb Williams
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USC Football ✌️ @uscfb

.<a href="https://twitter.com/jayden_maiava?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jayden_maiava</a> ➡️ <a href="https://twitter.com/getabagkai?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@getabagkai</a> for 6!<br><br>📲: <a href="https://t.co/H8gtm9a666">https://t.co/H8gtm9a666</a><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/Pac12Network?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Pac12Network</a> <a href="https://t.co/v3j2TKA55D">pic.twitter.com/v3j2TKA55D</a>

Whoever Riley decides to go with at quarterback will have a tall task following in the footsteps of the Heisman Trophy winner Williams. Perhaps Williams' success over the last two seasons will serve as motivation for Moss and Maiava.

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