USC Football: Lincoln Riley Addresses Starting Quarterback Decision
With Caleb Williams off to the 2024 NFL Draft, Lincoln Riley has a major decision to make on who will be the USC Trojans' next starting quarterback.
Riley spoke to the media on Thursday and revealed that the Trojans have not made a decision, and will let transfer Jayden Maiava and Miller Moss will get to "duke it out" during spring practices for the starting job.
Riley also added, "I think there are two starting level players in that room," via Luca Evans of the OC Register.
Miller Moss looked to be the guy after his incredible performance for USC in the Trojans' 42-28 Holiday Bowl win over Louisville. After sitting behind Williams for two years as a backup, Moss completed 69.7% of his passes for 372 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception in the start, winning him the game's Offensive MVP award.
However, USC then acquired Jayden Maiava through the transfer portal. Maiava arrives at USC with more starting quarterback experience than Moss, having started 11 games at UNLV in 2023. Maiava completed 63.5% of his passes for 3,085 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Maiava went 7-4 as a starter and was the Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year.
Maiava was originally set to transfer to Georgia but flipped his commitment to USC in January.
This competition will likely begin on March 19, when the Trojans start their spring practices. These practices will be closed to the public, so fans should get more insight when the Trojans play their spring football game, on April 20.
