Who will be USC’s QB after Caleb Williams’ departure?

At first glance, it seems USC’s starting QB after Caleb Williams’ presumed departure following the 2023 season will be redshirt junior Miller Moss or freshman Malachi Nelson.

Moss has shown his dedication to the program by staying at USC despite not earning the starter’s role. In two seasons, he has served as an understudy to Williams, Jaxson Dart and Kedon Slovis. That’s impressive patience in the age of the transfer portal.

Per 247Sports, USC head coach Lincoln Riley has spoken glowingly about the play and attitude of the Los Angeles native. In limited action in 2022 over five games, Moss excelled, completing 85% of his passes.

Nelson was ESPN’s No. 1 recruit of the incoming 2023 class, and many have already deemed him the next Williams because of his abilities to throw from different arm angles and to avoid tacklers in the backfield.

If Nelson doesn’t play in 2023, the five-star QB will have sat a season under the real Williams, who is the favorite to win a second Heisman Trophy, per FanDuel (+400). The award-winning QB has already taken the 6-foot-4, 190-pound Nelson under his wing.

Nelson, the 2022 Gatorade California Player of the Year, may have a slight edge once Williams departs. But the QB decision for Riley and the Trojan staff may have recently gotten more complicated.

After his second visit to the campus recently, Dylan Raiola — the No. 1 ranked QB in ESPN’s 2024 recruiting class — had his 247Sports crystal ball prediction flipped in favor of USC.

Previously favored to pick national champion Georgia, the five-star’s affinity for Riley could tilt him toward USC. In an interview with On3, he said if he chose USC, the top reason would be Riley.

Although it’s nearly a year until National Signing Day, this is big news for USC.

Riley is known as a quarterback whisperer after sending Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield to the NFL as first overall picks with Heisman trophies in hand. Williams could be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

At Oklahoma, Williams trained with starter Jalen Hurts, who has made his own mark in the NFL.

Based on Riley’s recent track record, USC should be in good hands with whomever the coach tabs as the 2024 starter.