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USC Trojans QB Miller Moss Projected As Top Three NFL Draft Pick

After a blazing start to the 2024 season, USC Trojans quarterback Miller Moss has found himself at the top of NFL Draft buzz, highlighted by a recent mock that had the star third overall.

Kyron Samuels

Sep 1, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Miller Moss (7) throws a pass against the LSU Tigers during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Sep 1, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Miller Moss (7) throws a pass against the LSU Tigers during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
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Typically, a 6’2 205 pound four-star quarterback prospect from Santa Monica, California wouldn’t be considered an underdog. Especially a player developed by USC Trojans coach Lincoln Riley who beat out a five-star freshman and a group of five standout transfer portal additions to win the starting job.

Still, USC Trojans quarterback Miller Moss has become America’s sweetheart in a sense. Replacing Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and first-overall pick Caleb Williams is a heavy task, but living up to the history of USC quarterbacks is a different beast altogether.

Moss couldn’t have asked for a better start to his Trojans career as a starter. Through his first three starts, Moss is 3-0 including a bowl win and two wins over top 25 opponents LSU and Louisville. Moss had thrown for 979 yards, eight touchdowns, and one interception in those three starts, good for the most passing yards in the first three starts for any quarterback under Riley. 

USC QB Miller Moss
Dec 27, 2023; San Diego, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Miller Moss (7) shakes hands with DirecTV Holiday Bowl president Dennis Dubard after victory over the Louisville Cardinals at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Why is that so impressive? That’s more than Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts, Spencer Rattler, and Caleb Williams. That’s three Heisman Trophy winners, three first-overall NFL draft picks, four All-Americans, and five all-conference quarterbacks. All those quarterbacks are in the NFL and four are currently starting.

That type of start will garner the attention of NFL scouts and front offices. Media personnel have also begun to take notice. In a recent CBS Sports NFL mock draft, Miller Moss was the third overall pick by the New York Giants. 

Moss's patience to wait behind Williams has proven to be a wise decision. Competing against the future No. 1 overall pick while still being coached by Riley prepared Moss for the eventual starting role. The Trojans quarterback spoke to his relationship with the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner as one of the reasons he wanted to stay at USC.

"Going back and forth with him for those two years really helped shape me as a player really pushed competitively to be the person, and the player I am today. I'm always grateful for those times. Like I said, me and Caleb are really, really close and I'll always be rooting for him," said Moss.

While that’s a lofty jump in expectation and there’s a ton of football remaining this season, Miller Moss undoubtedly has the spotlight on the national stage. How far he can rise is squarely on his shoulders. 

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Kyron Samuels
KYRON SAMUELS

Kyron Samuels is a former college and professional football player now a writer, analyst, & digital host. Kyron is a writer for USC Trojans on SI and contributes to Oregon Ducks on SI. A graduate and letterman at Jacksonville State University, Samuels was a three-year starter, two-time all-conference, and won three consecutive conference titles. After a four-year professional stint between the AFL & XFL, Samuels retired from football. In 2022, Samuels was inducted into the Fairhope Athletic Hall of Fame. Post-playing career, Samuels has become a credentialed sports media member covering the NFL, UFL, USFL, & college football. The NFL Combine, Reese’s Senior Bowl, & East-West Shrine Bowl are amongst the events Kyron has covered. As a guest and host, Samuels has been featured on ESPNRadio, FoxSportsRadio, & IHeartRadio. Outside of sports media, Samuels works as a scouting consultant and has experience coaching at the collegiate level.

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