Iowa-Bred Star Trent Mosley Shines in USC Debut, Drawing Heisman Family Comparisons
LOS ANGELES, CA - A true freshman with deep Iowa roots announced himself on the national stage Saturday, as Trent Mosley delivered a spectacular debut for USC that has Trojans fans buzzing about the next great receiver in Los Angeles.
Mosley, whose sister Jalyn played soccer at Iowa, hauled in seven passes for 118 yards and a touchdown in No. 14 USC's 42-26 victory over San Jose State. The performance made him the first USC freshman to top 100 receiving yards in his first college game since JuJu Smith-Schuster in 2014.
Who is Trent Mosley and why does he matter to Iowa?
While Mosley grew up in Southern California, his family ties to the Hawkeye State run deep. His sister, Jalyn, was a soccer standout at the University of Iowa, and his athletic pedigree is nothing short of remarkable.
His father, Emmett, played football at Notre Dame, and his mother, Cindy, won the Heisman Trophy for women's soccer at Notre Dame. His older brother, Emmett, is currently a receiver at Texas.
How did Mosley electrify the Coliseum in his first game?
Mosley's biggest highlight came on his very first touch of the game. After grabbing a punt midway through the first quarter, the freshman sidestepped a lunging defender and raced across the field, breaking multiple tackles on a 41-yard return that energized the crowd and his teammates.
Former USC safety Su'a Kristopher Cravens, now an analyst for ESPN and the Big Ten Network, took notice on social media.
“Trent Mosley will be a monster at returner!! Yal just got a lil taste of what I been seeing since spring,” Cravens tweeted.
What do teammates and coaches say about the freshman receiver?
Mosley repeatedly bailed out quarterback Jayden Maiava on a day the veteran signal-caller wasn't at his sharpest, stretching high into the air for a 20-yard catch on an overthrown pass. Maiava, who completed 25 of 29 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns, said the trust grew with every reception.
“Every time he caught the ball [after] I threw it to him, that trust just got a lot deeper,” Maiava said.
Running back King Miller was even more direct about Mosley's potential.
“That kid moves differently. I mean, he's special,” Miller said.
Linebacker Desman Stephens II echoed the sentiment.
“That kid is special, man. I see it, y'all see it — he's just a special player and just the way that Lincoln Riley uses all those guys to just run that offense is great,” Stephens said.
How did Mosley fit into USC's youth movement?
Mosley was part of a massive youth movement for the Trojans, starting alongside fellow true freshman receivers Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (four catches, 36 yards, one touchdown) and Tron Baker (four catches, 45 yards), as well as true freshman tight end Mark Bowman (three catches, 15 yards).
His touchdown came late in the third quarter when he caught the ball inside the 10-yard line and accelerated into the front right corner of the end zone, completing a 14-yard reception.
What does the future hold for this USC freshman?
Head coach Lincoln Riley said Mosley's performance was no surprise to anyone who has watched him practice.
“I don't think anybody here is very surprised, so that's kind of what it looks like most days there right outside of Bloom. So he's a consistent player and an explosive player, and I thought he came in and attacked it, didn't play hesitant and was a good weapon for us both obviously offensively and in the [special] teams game,” Riley said.
Mosley was coached in high school by USC legend Carson Palmer at Santa Margarita High, giving him a deep understanding of Trojan tradition. With his family's winning athletic heritage and his explosive debut, the young receiver could soon be the next USC superstar.
Top returning receiver Tanook Hines did not play Saturday as he continues recovering from an offseason medical procedure, which opened the door for Mosley's breakout performance.
Frequently asked questions about Trent Mosley's USC debut
How many yards did Trent Mosley have in his USC debut?
Mosley caught seven passes for 118 yards and a touchdown in USC's 42-26 win over San Jose State.
What is Trent Mosley's family connection to Iowa?
His sister, Jalyn, played soccer at the University of Iowa.
Who coached Trent Mosley in high school?
He was coached by USC legend and Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer at Santa Margarita High School in California.