USC football head coach Lincoln Riley has officially announced Miller Moss as the starting quarterback for the 2024 season. This decision comes as no surprise to Trojans fans who witnessed Moss, now entering his junior year, dismantle Louisville’s defense during last season’s Holiday Bowl. After patiently waiting on the bench for three years, Moss faces the formidable challenge of succeeding Caleb Williams, the Heisman Trophy winner and top pick in this year’s NFL Draft. Moss’s impressive performance in the Holiday Bowl has instilled confidence, suggesting a smoother transition between quarterbacks. With USC now competing in the Big Ten Conference, much responsibility rests on Moss to steer the Trojans back to their storied football tradition.
Despite the significant role Moss will play in USC’s 2024 success, the true X-factor for the team may well be sophomore wide receiver Zachariah Branch.
Perhaps anticipated by some and overlooked by others, Branch’s name hasn’t been as prominent recently as it was early last year. Injuries limited him to 11 out of 13 games in his freshman season. Nonetheless, he made an immediate impact by returning a kickoff for a touchdown in the season opener against San Jose State—the first USC player to do so since 2019 and the first true freshman since 2014.
Branch’s versatility is a major asset; he’s a dynamic runner, reliable receiver, and a formidable return specialist. The former five-star recruit amassed 1,164 all-purpose yards and scored five touchdowns last season, hinting at his vast potential. ESPN noted, “The USC freshman burst onto the scene last year as one of the fastest players in college football, earning All-America honors with his 774 punt and kickoff return yards. The real test awaits as special teams will now focus on containing him, and the Trojans will look to him to be a leading receiver in the post-Caleb Williams era.”
While Moss alleviated some doubts with his bowl game showcase, it remains a limited sample size. Coach Riley is expected to rely heavily on an explosive offense to elevate USC into the upper ranks of college football, especially within the competitive Big Ten. Riley has a history of leaning on his star players, as seen with Williams over the past two seasons, and Branch’s multifaceted skill set fits perfectly into this strategy. Anticipation builds around the innovative plays Riley may have devised to maximize Branch’s talents this season.
Branch will join a talented group of receivers, including Duce Robinson, Ja’Kobi Lane, and Makai Lemon. However, for the Trojans to reach new heights, Branch needs to emerge as the team’s standout superstar, bringing a dynamic edge to the offense.
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