When it comes to the USC Trojans, the biggest talking point for the 2024 season will be quarterback play. Lincoln Riley's team started the year with redshirt junior Miller Moss at the helm, but ended the season with a recent switch to UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava. .
For Riley, it was the first year in recent history that the head coach didn't field a coveted five-star player at quarterback. That's because he's been in charge for the past three seasons since the Caleb Williams era. oklahoma sooners.
Before that, it was Spencer Rattler, the No. 1 recruit in 2019 and a starter at Oklahoma from 2020 to 2021. Of course, he followed three NFL quarterbacks in Baker Mayfield, Jalen Hurts and Kyler Murray.
So it was a change this year that Moss earned the starting job, and it represented a shift from Riley's usual quarterback. Former 5-star Malachi Nelson transfers to Boise State In the offseason after his true freshman season.
Moss started the year strong, going 3-1, with his only loss coming in a 27-24 loss to then-number one Moss. 18 michigan wolverines. However, turnovers started to bother him in the second half of the season, and he had three interceptions in away games. washington huskies This proved to be the nail in the coffin as USC suffered its fourth loss in five games.
As a result, the Trojans switched to Maiava and won 28-20. nebraska cornhuskerswhich puts USC within one game of bowl eligibility.
But regardless of how the season ends, quarterback questions are sure to come up heading into the offseason, with at least one signal-caller in USC's room potentially entering the transfer portal.
Then a new five-star quarterback comes along. However, that's not what the Trojans have been hoping for all year.
Introducing Huthan Longstreet, Lincoln Riley's incoming five-star quarterback and top signal caller for the Class of 2025.
Longstreet, a Southern California native, has long worked with Mike Elko. Texas A&M Aggies After making a verbal commitment in the spring.
Meanwhile, the Trojans have been linked to five-star Julian Lewis, who has committed to the University of Southern California in August 2023. However, Lewis has been actively visiting other schools, and many are predicting a future reversal, resulting in USC improving. Interest in Longstreet continued in the summer when the Trojans took him on an official visit.
In the end, what happened to the Cards is that Lewis decommitted from the Trojans on Sunday, ultimately choosing Colorado. Longstreet then committed shortly thereafter, leaving USC with a five-star quarterback in the 2025 class, but one that didn't necessarily match up with the Lincoln Riley offense they originally envisioned. .
Longstreet has been involved with the Trojans since his freshman year of high school, and his relationship with quarterbacks coach Luke Hurd grew stronger. However, Lewis' attention spread far and wide after the signing, and USC eyed Longstreet as a top QB target and managed to secure a contract just before the early signing period.
During his time at USC, Mr. Riley has sometimes been criticized for not targeting the California region enough and focusing on recruiting more broadly, such as Mr. Lewis, a native of Carrollton, Georgia.
But thanks to Longstreet, the head coach was able to keep the top quarterback in the 2025 class in-state for the Trojans, a huge recruiting win for USC.
In March of 2023, I got my first 5⭐️.#USC Quarterback commits Huthan Longstreet
It was also my first opportunity to talk to him and his pop Kevin.
That day, there was no question as to which school he wanted to play soccer for.
It was supposed to happen ✌ @on3USC… pic.twitter.com/P0FVXrFxZB
— Scott Schrader (@SSchraderOn3) November 22, 2024
For years, it has looked as if Riley always had plans as a quarterback, whether it was at Oklahoma or USC. There always seemed to be a talented successor for every starter, so they went from Baker Mayfield to Kyler Murray and then Jalen Hurts, who moved on down the stretch. They were later joined by Spencer Rattler and Caleb Williams, and all five quarterbacks were drafted into the NFL.
But that plan finally hit a rut in the new era of college football. Riley had to hit the transfer portal to acquire Maiava because 2023 rookie Malachi Nelson opted to transfer after his freshman season, leaving a hole at the position. And create a quarterback competition with Moss.
But the addition of Longstreet puts Riley's plan to field an elite quarterback every two years back in motion and firmly sets his future at the most important position in football.
