Increased comfortability to help Jayden Maiava lead USC offense

Being thrown into the fold as the starter beyond the midway point of the year is a difficult position for anyone to achieve. The current USC staff saw enough from Jayden Maiava last year and throughout the spring to have a great deal of confidence in the junior heading into the 2025 season.

Coach Luke Huard, as shared by the Los Angeles Times' Ryan Kartje on X, spoke with reporters about the nature in which Maiava has improved. Rather than speaking about the mechanics or some form of x's and o's, coach Huard mentioned how Maiava is looking improved in a less tangible aspect.

According to the Trojan OC, Maiava is showing a greater amount of comfort level in the offense and has found his voice as a leader. Taking over for Miller Moss last year was always going to be a tricky situation. Since then, however, this USC coaching staff has only shown and expressed their utmost confidence in Maiava.

With trust and outward displays of confidence, the USC team have shown the extent to which they will be willing to ride or die on the arm of Maiava.

Ready to lead USC offense to success

Part of what coach Huard's comments concerned was how the increased time in the offense is leading to Maiava being more comfortable. This is something that is to be expected.

More snaps and reads within a system will, of course, naturally lead to a better, more complete player. Based on what coach Huard is mentioning, it is also helping with Maiava's intangibles, an aspect that may not be able to be directly measured but will show up in a major way once the season begins. For some, Maiava needs to show that he truly is a QB1-caliber player. So far, the junior is doing what is needed from his perspective to prove those doubters wrong as the team prepares for the season to come.