Did USC QB Miller Moss earn starting job with record-setting bowl performance?

Williams, the projected top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, didn’t have a six-touchdown game until his 19th start with the Trojans, and he had just two games this season with more passing yards than the 372 by Moss.

With Williams likely leaving for the NFL, as impressive as the record-breaking performance was for Moss, it may have created a bit of a dilemma for head coach Lincoln Riley. 

Former five-star QB Malachi Nelson is in the NCAA transfer portal, and the Trojans have been considered the favorite to land Kansas State transfer Will Howard, who threw for 2,643 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while rushing for another 351 yards and nine touchdowns for the Wildcats this season (not to mention one touchdown catch).

That may no longer be the case after Moss carved up the Louisville defense the way he did.

“Shoot, he may have scared off anybody that would want to come here anyway," Riley joked with reporters. “In this day and age with all the movement, when you have guys like that, it's even more of an advantage than it was maybe even five or 10 years ago because it's becoming a little bit harder to find. Miller's had a passion for this university and this program for a long time ... He's stayed here, he's gotten better and that's why a night like tonight happened.”

The performance certainly put any transfer-portal QB considering USC on notice. After waiting three years behind several other highly touted recruits, Moss proved himself worthy of taking the torch in 2024. At least, that’s the way some of his teammates see it.

“What Miller did out there, it's something that's going to help us in the future,” receiver Kyron Hudson said. “So, personally, yes, he did (win the job). I'm super excited for Miller. He waited his time, and he's ready for it. He's the guy we need.”