Miller Moss patiently waited for three years to become USC's starting quarterback. After finally getting his chance in 2024, Moss is ready to test the transfer portal and see if he can find a better fit for his final season of eligibility.
Moss told ESPN on Monday that he'll soon enter the NCAA transfer portal. He's expected to be one of the most coveted veteran QBs on the market among teams in need. And there are plenty of teams looking for a new QB1 this offseason.
"There comes a point where there's a time to move on to new opportunities," Moss told ESPN, "and I'm hoping to better myself as a person and a player."
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound redshirt junior joined USC as a top-50 recruit in 2021 and served as Caleb Williams' backup for two years before getting his shot in last year's Holiday Bowl and throwing for six touchdowns in a 42-28 win over Louisville. On that night, Moss proved he was ready to lead the Trojans in 2024.
Moss led the Big Ten in passing yards per game this season and threw for 2,555 yards, completing 64% of his passes with 20 total touchdowns and 11 turnovers. But after a tough stretch for the Trojans -- four close losses in five weeks -- coach Lincoln Riley opted to bench Moss for UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava to close out a disappointing 6-6 regular season.
Now Moss is looking to move on, seeking an opportunity to prove he's an NFL-caliber passer. He's going to receive plenty of phone calls once he's officially in the portal.
Here are five programs that could make sense as Moss' transfer destination.
Louisville Cardinals
Louisville coach Jeff Brohm has enjoyed a lot of offensive success in his first two seasons back at his alma mater with the help of veteran transfer quarterbacks Jack Plummer (via Cal) and Tyler Shough (Texas Tech). Shough ranks third in the ACC in passing yards this season with 3,195 yards and 23 touchdowns. The seventh-year senior had awful luck with injuries during his time at Texas Tech but finally put together a strong 12-game season in Brohm's offensive system.
The Cardinals return several backups who'll want to compete for the starting job, including redshirt freshman Pierce Clarkson, redshirt junior Harrison Bailey and redshirt sophomore Brady Allen. But don't be surprised if Louisville shoves all-in on a more experienced option like Moss who they can depend on to keep them in ACC title contention.
Auburn Tigers
Auburn coach Hugh Freeze knows he needs to go get a transfer QB who can take the Tigers to the next level in 2025. Auburn has a ton of promising young talent to build around, especially at wide receiver, with standout true freshmen Cam Coleman, Malcolm Simmons and Perry Thompson. Their presence makes Auburn an appealing destination for QBs like Moss, who have one year left and are looking to put up big numbers next season.
Auburn is losing backups Holden Geriner and Hank Brown to the portal and is fighting to hold onto quarterback commit Deuce Knight ahead of Wednesday's national signing day. Knight, the No. 41 recruit in the 2025 ESPN 300, was a big-time get who flipped from Notre Dame but is still being pursued by Ole Miss. He's the future of the program if he sticks, but bringing in a one-year veteran to give him time to develop -- and to make the Tigers more competitive in the SEC in a pressure year for Freeze -- makes a ton of sense.
Missouri Tigers
Eli Drinkwitz needs to replace a 38-game starter in Brady Cook, and it wouldn't be surprising if the Tigers make a push to bring in Moss. This is another situation where a one-year pickup might be the best move for the program and set the Tigers up nicely for the future with touted incoming recruit Matt Zollers, the No. 93 player in the ESPN 300, competing with Sam Horn and Aidan Glover for the starting job after next season.
Missouri is set to return a veteran arm in Drew Pyne, the former Notre Dame and Arizona State transfer. Pyne has played in six games this season and threw for 143 yards and three TDs in a 30-23 win over Oklahoma. He expects to have two more seasons of eligibility, but Missouri will likely add a transfer to boost their room and their chances to contend in 2025.
Boston College Eagles
Here's an option for Moss that should not be overlooked. Boston College coach Bill O'Brien will likely explore his portal options after playing two QBs in his debut season. Thomas Castellanos opted to leave the program and is expected to transfer, following his benching in November.
Florida International transfer Grayson James had some promising moments in his four starts and has one more season of eligibility, but O'Brien will need to bring in an experienced passer after losing Castellanos. His extensive NFL experience could be an important plus for Moss as he looks to improve his draft position with a strong senior season, and the program appears pointed in the right direction with seven wins in Year 1.
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan feels like more of a wild card in this recruiting process, because it's hard to tell what the Wolverines are going to do next with their QB room. They just made a substantial eight-figure investment in No. 1 overall recruit Bryce Underwood to flip from LSU and be the future of the program. It's fair to assume that Michigan will see several of its backup QBs exit via the portal this offseason after redshirt junior Davis Warren eventually earned the job. The question now is this: What kind of transfer QB does Michigan need? Is the right fit a full-season starter or a veteran backup?
If Michigan makes Moss a priority, it would probably be tough to say no. But keep in mind he has only started 10 games in four years. Moss needs to play a full season at his next stop, and Wolverines fans will want to see Underwood on the field as soon as possible. Don't rule out Michigan as a potential Moss destination, but it wouldn't be surprising if they prioritize another portal QB first.