Jayden Maiava returns as USC’s proven QB1 with big-play upside
In the 2025 season, Jayden Maiava started all 13 games for USC and threw for 3,711 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while adding 157 rushing yards and 6 scores, giving the Trojans a legit dual-threat engine. He’s been described as one of the nation’s premier quarterbacks heading into 2026, and national preseason buzz has put him inside the top 10 at the position. What makes him interesting is the blend of arm talent, size and downfield explosiveness; the fit works best for a team that wants a confident distributor who can create chunk plays without being asked to be a pure scrambler.
