USC Football News: Lincoln Riley Praises Miller Moss as the Trojans' Smartest QB Yet

The Rise of Miller Moss at USC

Miller Moss, the starting quarterback for the USC Trojans , is making waves in college football this season.

With impressive early-season statistics—totaling 979 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and just one interception over his first three games—Moss is earning himself a reputation as a player to watch.

"There's no question [Moss] is really smart," Riley told Keyshawn Johnson on the most recent edition of " All Facts No Brakes .". "He's one of the smartest ones, and maybe the smartest [quarterback] that I've had, which is saying something.

"Those other guys really understood the game, too, but he's got a great mind for it."

This speaks volumes given Riley’s track record of developing NFL stars like Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Jalen Hurts.

What sets Moss apart is not just his performance on the field but also his journey to becoming USC's leading passer.

In standout games last season and this season, he threw for 372 yards and six touchdowns against Louisville and followed that up with 378 yards in the season opener against LSU.

His ability to read defenses and make quick decisions under pressure has allowed the Trojans to play at an elite level, especially in high-pressure moments.

Moss's rise is particularly notable given the program's struggles before his arrival; he committed to USC during a challenging chapter under former head coach Clay Helton and has remained steadfast even when Caleb Williams joined the team after Williams followed Lincoln Riley over from Oklahoma.

Acknowledging the Defense’s Progress

In complement to Moss’s successes, the improvements made by USC's defense cannot be overlooked.

With recently appointed defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn at the helm, the Trojans have shown a remarkable transformation, holding opponents like LSU to just 20 points and achieving their first shutout victory since 2011 against Utah State.

"He [has] done a great job," Riley said of Lynn . "I give a lot of credit to him and, really, the entire defensive staff.

"I think we knew we hired a lot of individual coaches that were really good and had great résumés and we thought fit the bill, but I've been most impressed with how that group has come together, both for the coaching staff to work as one unit and then our defense as a whole.

"I think he [has] done a good job of instilling confidence and in with our group," Riley continued.

"I think he's got a really direct, clear message of how we want to play defensively, and I think our guys go out there with a very clear mind and are very confident."

A Bright Future Ahead

Looking toward the future, the focus is now on how Moss and the team will fare as they prepare for their first Big Ten matchup against Michigan on September 21 after a bye week.

This game will serve as a critical test of their capabilities, not only in terms of Moss's individual performance but also regarding the team's ability to synchronize and adapt to different styles of play.