The conclusion of the college football regular season marks the start of a new chapter for many players, and one of the most intriguing stories this offseason is the movement in the transfer portal.
Among the big names already making headlines is USC quarterback Miller Moss, who announced his decision to explore new opportunities.
Moss, who joined USC in 2021, spent much of his tenure backing up Caleb Williams, who ended up being selected first overall by the Chicago Bears in last April’s NFL Draft.
Stepping out of Williamsā shadow, Moss finally got his chance to lead the Trojans this season. However, the pressure of following in Williamsā footsteps was immense.
In nine games, Moss threw for 2,555 yards, completing 233 of 362 attempts with 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Despite a solid 64% completion rate, turnovers were a recurring issue for Moss.
With USC’s offense demanding a quarterback capable of game-changing performances, the Trojans eventually turned to freshman Jayden Maiava.
Needless to say, the 2024 season did not go according to plan for Moss.
However, he has flashed on more than one occasion just how talented he is. (Look no further than the season opener against LSU. Or last year’s Holiday Bowl against Louisville.)
The fact of the matter is Moss has a ton of potential and could one day be a legitimate franchise quarterback in the NFL.
For now, he’s focused on where he will be playing college ball next season.
Speaking of which, a few notable programs have emerged as potential contenders to land Moss in the transfer portal…
-Auburn Tigers
Auburn is a major program in need of a quarterback upgrade. With coach Hugh Freeze looking to elevate the Tigersā performance in 2025, Moss could step in as an experienced leader for a team rich in young talent, particularly at wide receiver.
āAuburn coach Hugh Freeze knows he needs to go get a transfer QB who can take the Tigers to the next level in 2025,ā ESPN’s Max Olson reported.
āAuburn 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.ā
-Louisville Cardinals
Louisvilleās quarterback situation is not settled, making Moss an attractive candidate. The Cardinals are expected to see competition among returning backups, but none have significant starting experience.
āThe 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,ā Olson said.
āBut 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.ā
-Michigan Wolverines
Believe it or not, Michigan is considered one of the most intriguing options for Moss. With top 2025 recruit Bryce Underwood set to join the program, Michigan might prefer a veteran quarterback to bridge the gap and mentor Underwood.
āMichigan 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,ā Olson said.
āThey 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?ā
-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,” Olson said.
“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.”
-Iowa Hawkeyes
Rounding out the list is Iowa, a winning program with a history of struggles at the quarterback position.
While the Hawkeyes rely heavily on their running game, they lack the offensive weapons needed to support a dynamic passing attack.
Nevertheless, Iowaās low-pressure system might appeal to Moss as he looks to reset his career.
Iowa is the undoubtedly the most underrated program in the Big Ten.
With star running back Kaleb Johnson set to leave for the NFL Draft, head coach Kirk Ferentz could very well have his eyes set on Moss.
As the transfer portal heats up, the next few weeks will be pivotal for Moss and the programs pursuing him.
While each of the listed programs offer unique advantages, one thing is certain: Moss has the experience and talent to make an impact in the right system.
What are your thoughts on Moss as a quarterback? … Where do you think he will end up???
