USC quarterback Miller Moss leads the Trojans football team with his toughness and resilience

USC Trojans quarterback Miller Moss is a player who has earned the opportunity to become the starting quarterback at one of the most prestigious universities in all of college football. Moss, now 22, redshirted as a freshman during the 2021 season. Sitting for a season is nothing new and nothing special. In the next few seasons, Moss' character and intentions emerge.

During the 2022 and 2023 seasons, when Caleb Williams, Heisman Trophy winner and now first overall pick by the Chicago Bears, was the starter at quarterback, Moss sat behind him as the backup. Given the current freedom to leave a program and be immediately eligible, this kind of patience is rare.

With the opportunity to play at another university and the transfer portal with name, image and likeness opportunities elsewhere, it has become rarer for players to stay true to their commitment. Honestly, who can really blame them? The opportunity to be financially compensated and play meaningful reps is the goal of almost every college or professional player.

To me, this shows a certain level of mental strength to avoid the outside noise and temptation that the game currently attracts to athletes. Moss waited his turn, and when Caleb Williams was eliminated from the 2023 Holiday Bowl, Moss was named that game's starter. His dedication, mental strength and patience had finally paid off. Moss seized the opportunity, throwing six touchdowns and leading the Trojans to a 42-28 victory over Louisville.

One would probably assume that this type of performance would guarantee the starting position next season if Williams were promoted to the National Football League, but that wasn't the case. UNLV quarterback Jayden Maiava, fresh off a Mountain West Freshman of the Year and 2nd Team All-Mountain West season, announced his transfer to USC. USC five-star freshman quarterback Malachi Nelson also transferred to Boise State.

As one challenge left, another, more proven challenge with a better athletic profile came along. Once again, Moss showed his character and commitment to the Trojans. Moss stayed, fought and eventually won the starting spot. USC is 2-1 this season and Moss has a 76/117 record for 850 yards and five touchdowns in those three games. While the stats are impressive, it is once again Moss' toughness that stands out.

Moss suffered defeats in the LSU and Michigan games behind an offensive group that is still being worked on. The game against Michigan was particularly brutal. There are at least three plays in which Moss is seen writhing in pain and slow to rise from monster blows. He finds a way to get up and keep delivering every time. This is the toughness and commitment that he has always shown.

“And then at the end of the year we could see Miller from a leadership perspective with last year's group and then certainly with this team. “I think he's done a really good job of leading our guys and being someone that our guys want to play for,” coach Lincoln Riley said.

USC Trojans legend and Heisman-winning quarterback Matt Leinart was also impressed by Moss.

“He always went to my camps… He always had this loot. You see these little 8-year-old kids who can wear the bracelets and play, but you say, 'Okay, this kid has some great stuff.'” Miller has always been that kid. I'll never forget him. I remember him and his parents coming every year and he was a die-hard Trojan.”

Whether mentally or physically, Moss is a complete sell for the USC Trojans. The Trojan believers are lucky to have the last of a dying race fighting for them every week.

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