Lincoln Riley Talks Competitive USC QB1 Decision

USC head coach Lincoln Riley decided to start redshirt Junior Miller Moss over redshirt sophomore Jayden Maiava after an 8-month competition for the first-string spot.

Riley believes Miller was always the best choice for the job, even with Maiava’s transfer into the program.

“We felt like we got to a point where we’d seen enough of the guys and just felt like that that was the right decision for the team. It was close. It was close. Give Miller a lot of credit, I think he improved and handled the competition well.”

After Maiava transferred in from UNLV this spring, Riley respects him and is grateful to work with multiple talented QBs.

“Jaden Maiava improved drastically, which I think we all expected there would be some improvement… It was a major, major jump for him and really proud of how he handled the competition. I mean he was right there neck and neck with him the entire time, which was a big move from the spring. You could tell his familiarity with the offense certainly helped.”

Photo bySean PierceonUnsplash

For Lincoln Riley, “Moss Miller Was Still The Best”

Furthermore, coach shows his appreciation for the entire QB depth chart, “Consistently Miller was still the best and still the guy that we feel like gives this team the best chance to win and play well… He’s built up the momentum from the bowl game and from the spring and I think is playing at a high level and has done it very consistently. I think it’s his consistency every day as a player, as a leader, operating the offense, that is certainly part of what makes him the player that he is.” Coach expresses his confidence in his decision,

“Extremely. Extremely comfortable. I’d go play anybody with him the way that he practiced and competed. He’s a talented kid, he’s got a really bright future here, there’s no doubt about that. It was a great battle. And that’s typically, the rooms I’ve been in when there are great battles it makes both guys better. And I think you could certainly say that about this competition.”

USC Has Caleb Williams’ Big Shoes To Fill

The USC coaching staff has a long history of QB success they look to continue. Moss has to fill the impressive shoes of 2024 first-round draft pick Caleb Williams, who is now the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears. USC supports their QB with a buffed defense, “When we got here, just with the scheme change going into the new conference, we knew that we had to get bigger,” Lynn said. “We knew we had to get stronger.”

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Article originally written by Trenton Krzyzowski