USC QB Miller Moss: One Game Wonder

I had never heard of USC quarterback (QB) Miller Moss before his breakout 42-28 DIRECTV Holiday Bowl performance when he stepped in and lit up No. 15 Louisville.

That’s because there are too many players and not enough time to study all of them.

However, after that game, I knew I would be sitting down, turning on the game film, and evaluating Moss.

Then I saw a June 25 X post by On3. Football Analyst Phil Steele had Moss ranked on his top 10 list for the 2025 NFL Draft. Granted, Moss was ranked last on the list, but he was still on the list.

That’s when I knew I needed to add this one to my preseason QB evaluations.

Coming off the bench

Moss saw limited mop-up duty during the regular season backing up USC’s starting QB last season, Caleb Williams.

• San Jose State University 5 out of 7 (71.4%), 63 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions
• Nevada 7 out of 10 (70%), 134 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions
• Stanford 11 out of 15 (73.3%), 112 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions

Those were his numbers, but how did he look on film?

Rusty.

He looked functional. He looked like another backup prospect in a sea of backup prospects ⎯a guy who could fill in if the sky was falling, but a guy who wasn’t showing the necessary characteristics to be a successful NFL starter.

6 touchdowns

Then that Holiday Bowl happened on December 27 and Moss became a sensation in his first start taking over for Williams who opted out of the bowl game in preparation for the 2024 NFL Draft.

• 23 out of 33 (69.7%), 372 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception

The six touchdowns tied Williams’ college career high he had reached only twice himself, once while playing for Oklahoma (vs. Texas Tech 10/30/21) and for USC (vs. Colorado 9/30/23).

What did Moss look like on the game film?

Much of the first quarter looked like the three times he’d come off the bench earlier in the season, blah, complete with two pass breakups, but then one of his short middle screen passes turned into a touchdown inside the red zone and that noticeably gave him confidence.

He came back at the start of the next drive and rifled a deep pass downfield into triple coverage that was caught.

It was like a Disney movie from there (and everything he tried to do looked better).

Amazing what confidence can do.

What to think?

With limited game film, I went the extra mile and watched Moss in USC’s 2024 Spring Game and he looked mid (and that is a nice way of saying it).

Moss showed average-looking arm strength, threw mostly short passes and he looked inconsistent further downfield with one pass broken up and two interceptions. He looked conservative, hesitant, and cautious.

The Moss of the Holiday Bowl was nowhere to be found.

#7 Miller Moss 6-foot-2, 200 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 Summer Grade: UDFA (I wouldn’t sign him)

Projected by 0% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of July 10, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2023 game film evaluated: San Jose State, Nevada, Stanford, and Louisville (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Below average prospect with a noddle arm and inconsistent footwork. Steady demeanor. Confidence level waivers. No dominant traits. Goes through the motions setting up. Looks like he has a high football IQ like he will become a coach. Lobs his throws. Best in the short range on outside and middle screens. Looked better rolling out to his right and throwing. Works slants and out routes featuring a breakpoint at the intermediate level (11-19 yards). Inconsistent progressions. Tends to pat the ball pre-delivery. Tends to lock in with targets. Elongated throwing motion. Telegraphs his throws. Below average anticipation and ball placement short-to-intermediate (five pass breakups in four games). Inconsistent versus pressure. Best success deep six/eight (75%). Has some get up and go as a runner.

What to watch for during the 2024 college football season

1. Confidence level?

2. How was his intermediate to deep passing game?

3. Telegraphing throws?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.