NFL Analysis
9/2/24
4 min read
2025 NFL Draft: Can Miller Moss Push For Top QB Spot?
In a 2025 draft class featuring multiple potential first-round quarterbacks, USC Trojans QB Miller Moss made a strong early-season case to belong in that conversation.
Moss helped lead the Trojans to a dramatic 27-20 win against the LSU Tigers to open up their season in Las Vegas. With 1:47 left in the game, the redshirt junior led USC down the field on an eight-play, 75-yard drive that was capped off by a game-winning Woody Marks rushing touchdown with just eight seconds remaining.
Moss's box score numbers were solid but not incredible. He completed 27 of 36 passes for 378 yards and a single touchdown. However, his efficiency and ability to push the ball downfield accurately impressed fans watching.
Although he's only started two games in his college career, early impressions of Moss have him looking like a potential top quarterback prospect for 2025.
>> READ MORE: Latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft
What Makes Miller Moss an NFL-Caliber QB?
High-powered college offenses don't always help quarterbacks transition into the NFL. Still, Moss's skill set shows a handful of traits that NFL teams covet at the pro level.
The ability to push the ball downfield is something that immediately stands out with Moss. He's capable of delivering a consistently accurate ball when going deep, thanks to clean throwing mechanics and good footwork.
This go-ahead touchdown against LSU was a great example of that deep ball. After getting a free play, Moss waited until the top of his drop to step into the throw and deliver a perfect pass down the sideline without rushing any part of his drop.
Do you see why I think Miller Moss is 2025 Draft QB1 now? Do you see the vision? pic.twitter.com/r80DQs0ld3
— Liam Blutman (@Blutman27) September 2, 2024
The numbers back up the film. According to TruMedia, Moss has attempted 15 passes with more than 20 air yards in the last two seasons. He's completed nine of them for 298 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
Moss has also shown impressive poise against pressure. LSU blitzed the Trojans quarterback on 16 of his dropbacks on Sunday night. He was only sacked once while completing 8-of-15 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown.
While he shows great patience and poise when gearing up for the deep ball, Moss also has the arm talent to speed up his mechanics against pressure to still deliver an accurate ball downfield.
Miller Moss is certainly a QB to watch for the 2025 NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/Jk5XJZ86N3
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) September 2, 2024
The small sample size should have draft scouts wanting to see more of Moss. He's only attempted 128 passes since arriving on campus in 2021. He's had to wait patiently, sitting behind the likes of Caleb Williams, Jaxson Dart, and Kedon Slovis.
However, some NFL teams will view his patience and willingness to stick things out at USC positively. Despite multiple coaching staff changes and limited playing time, Moss stayed away from the transfer portal and waited for his chance to be a starter.
That patience is paying off.
>> READ MORE: CFB Week 1 Risers, Fallers
Does Miller Moss Belong in the Top QB Conversation?
There's a lot to like about Moss. However, he has a ways to go before being considered one of the top quarterback prospects for 2025.
Moss has an adequate frame as a 6-foot-2, 205-pound quarterback. However, as a more pro-style quarterback, scouts would prefer a quarterback with more size. Georgia Bulldogs QB Carson Beck is an ideal example at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds.
Beck is the current QB1 on consensus big boards because of that size, and his solid athletic ability. The Georgia quarterback is more of a long strider but has the mobility and speed to extend plays with his legs and be strategic about taking off downfield when no one is open. Moss hasn't shown that kind of mobility in a limited sample size.
Shedeur Sanders is another top quarterback prospect with a similar frame to Moss — 6-foot-2, 215 pounds. However, he's a much more effective athlete who is capable of extending plays with his legs. Sanders thrives out of structure, whereas Moss has made most of his plays with timing and precision.
Those aren't detrimental traits for Moss, but his smaller frame will have scouts looking for that extra something in his game that helps him separate from Sanders and Beck.
The good news for Moss is that he still has plenty of time to strengthen his case as a potential first-round quarterback. Based on the early impressions, he has found his way into the conversation among the next tier of draft-eligible quarterbacks like Jalen Milroe, Riley Leonard, and Jaxson Dart.
With a few more games like Week 1, Moss could easily find himself ahead of that tier of quarterbacks.
