Jayden Maiava is the undisputed leader of the USC offense in 2026

For the second consecutive season, Jayden Maiava is set to lead the USC Trojans offense as the program enters its third year in the Big Ten. The talented signal caller and perennial Heisman hopeful aims to build upon a standout 2025 campaign, highlighted by a 91.2 QBR rating that ranked first in the nation.

Since taking over for Miller Moss in Week 10 of the 2024 season, Maiava has firmly established himself as USC’s QB1. Holding a 12-5 record as a starter, he is now poised to reach new heights while leading what may be the most talented roster he has played with since arriving in Los Angeles.

Brad Crawford of CBS Sports rated Maivia as the ninth-best QB in the Power 4 this year, which actually feels kind of low. He said that Maivia's return should give USC a great chance to make some noise in the Big 10 this season.

"Maiava's return for Lincoln Riley's fifth season at USC resulted in five-star freshman Husan Longstreet's departure to the portal, but there's little worry at the position," Criawford writes. "The Trojans just finished with the No. 1 overall recruiting class in the 2026 cycle and have their best roster under Riley, punctuated by a star quarterback at the top."

Jayden Maiava should be one of the top quarterback's in the country

Under the guidance of Lincoln Riley, Maiava’s production has shown steady improvement. While his 24-10 touchdown-to-interception ratio may not appear elite from a season ago, he effectively commanded the Big Ten, leading the conference with 3,711 passing yards and 3,868 total yards. This significant progress marks a major win for the Trojans and by electing to return for another season, Maiava has positioned himself as a legitimate contender for a top selection in the upcoming NFL Draft next year.

Joining Maiava in the quarterback room are true freshman Jonas Williams and returning redshirt senior Sam Huard. While Huard remains a veteran presence, he is expected to yield the primary backup duties to Williams, a standout member of the Trojans’ No. 1 ranked 2026 recruiting class. As the No. 1 player in Illinois and Gatorade Player of the Year, Williams will spend this crucial first season under Lincoln Riley’s guidance. Learning the system behind an established starter like Maiava provides the ideal environment for the young quarterback to develop, positioning himself to contribute if called upon and eventually step into the starting role in 2027 and beyond.

For the first time since the Caleb Williams era, the Trojans boast elite talent under center. With a challenging schedule ahead, Jayden Maiava is perfectly positioned to cement his legacy and prove he has what it takes to lead USC to new heights.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow