USC head coach Lincoln Riley names Caleb Williams' successor at quarterback

USC head coach Lincoln Riley has found an heir to 2022 Heisman-winning quarterback Caleb Williams.

On Monday, the third-year Trojans coach named Miller Moss the team's starting quarterback.

Riley's decision isn't surprising.

Moss, a fourth-year junior, appeared in five games last season and started the team's 42-28 Holiday Bowl win over Louisville. He finished 23-of-33 for 372 yards, six touchdowns and one interception.

He must pick up where he left off for the Trojans to start the 2024 season on a positive note.

USC plays Associated Press preseason No. 13 LSU in Las Vegas in Week 1. Fortunately for Moss and the Trojans, the Tigers are 0-4 in their last four season-openers, including 0-2 under head coach Brian Kelly.

USC is entering its first season as a Big Ten member. It plays defending national champion No. 9 Michigan (Sept. 21) and No. 8 Penn State (Oct. 12) before ending the regular season with an out-of-conference game against No. 7 Notre Dame.

Moss has big shoes to fill. Williams, USC's quarterback from 2022-23, threw for 8,170 yards and 72 touchdowns over his two seasons with the program. In April, he was selected by the Chicago Bears with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Despite Williams' incredible run, USC has gone 19-8 since the start of 2022, including 8-5 last season.

If the Trojans struggled to win consistently with Williams, they might face similar hurdles with Moss.