When it comes to the USC Trojans, the biggest talking point during the 2024 season has been quarterback play, as Lincoln Riley’s crew started the year with redshirt junior Miller Moss at the helm before recently making a change to UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava to end the year.
For Riley, it was the first year in recent history that the head coach did not have one of his coveted five-star recruits at quarterback, as he had been with Caleb Williams for the past three seasons, dating back to his time with the Oklahoma Sooners.
Before that, it was Spencer Rattler, who was the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2019 and Oklahoma’s starter between 2020 and 2021. Of course, he followed a trio of NFL quarterbacks in Baker Mayfield, Jalen Hurts, and Kyler Murray.
So, it was a change this year when Moss earned the starting job, as it represented a shift from Riley’s usual quarterbacks, which occurred due to former five-star Malachi Nelson transferring to Boise State in the offseason after his true freshman season.
Moss started the year strong, competing hard and starting the year 3-1, with the lone loss coming in a 27-24 defeat to the then-No. 18 Michigan Wolverines. But, turnovers began to plague him over the second half of the season, with a three-interception game against the Washington Huskies proving to be the nail in the coffin, as USC dropped its fourth loss in five games.
As a result, the Trojans switched to Maiava, resulting in a 28-20 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers, getting USC within one game of bowl eligibility.
However, regardless of how the season ends, there will undoubtedly be quarterback questions heading into the offseason, with the potential for at least one signal-caller in USC’s room to enter the transfer portal.
And that’s where a new five-star quarterback comes into the mix. Only it’s not the one Trojans have been expecting for the past year.
Meet Husan Longstreet, Lincoln Riley’s next five-star quarterback and a top-signal caller in the Class of 2025.
Longstreet, a native of Southern California, had long been a commit to Mike Elko and the Texas A&M Aggies after verbally pledging in the spring.
On the other hand, the Trojans had been tied to five-star Julian Lewis, who committed to USC back in August of 2023. However, Lewis had actively been visiting other schools, with many predicting a flip in the future, leading to USC showing continued interest in Longstreet, as the Trojans hosted the latter on an official visit in the summer.
Ultimately, the cards fell how they did, as Lewis de-committed from the Trojans on Sunday and ultimately picked Colorado. Longstreet then committed just shortly after, leaving USC with a five-star quarterback in the 2025 class, just not necessarily the one they initially imagined for Lincoln Riley’s offense.
Longstreet had been connected to the Trojans since his freshman year of high school, developing a relationship with quarterbacks coach Luke Huard that only continued to grow. But, as Lewis’ focus remained widespread after his commitment, USC focused on Longstreet as their top quarterback target, managing to secure a commitment just shortly before the early signing period.
During his tenure at USC, Riley has been criticized at times for not targeting the California area enough, instead having a more widespread recruiting focus, which was seen with Lewis, who is a native of Carrolton, Georgia.
But, with Longstreet, the head coach managed to keep the top quarterback in the 2025 class in-state with the Trojans, serving as a major recruiting win for USC.
Back in March of 2023, I got my first look at 5⭐️#USC quarterback commit HUSAN LONGSTREET
That was also my first opportunity to talk with him and his pop Kevin.
There was zero doubt that day about which school he wanted to play football at.
It was meant to be✌ @On3USC… pic.twitter.com/P0FVXrFxZB
— Scott Schrader (@SSchraderOn3) November 22, 2024
For years, it’s seemed as if Riley has always had a plan at quarterback, be it at Oklahoma or USC. There seemed to always be a talented heir apparent to every starter, hence the transition from Baker Mayfield to Kyler Murray, with transfer Jalen Hurts in the middle. Then came Spencer Rattler and Caleb Williams, with all five quarterbacks being drafted in the NFL.
But, that plan finally hit a rut in the new era of college football, as 2023 No. 1 recruit Malachi Nelson elected to transfer after his true freshman season, leaving a void at the position, requiring Riley to hit the transfer portal to land Maiava and creating a quarterback competition with Moss.
However, with Longstreet in the fold, Riley’s plan of having elite quarterbacks every two years is back in motion, setting up the future well at the most important position in football.
