Jayden Maiava to Eli Sanders connection looking good during USC football spring camp

Those following USC football year-round wish that there could have been a public spring game to watch. Instead, Trojan faithful The lack of the annual tradition across many programs makes it more difficult to get a true feel of how players are looking compared to the same point from the previous calendar year. Luckily, there are seemingly always clips and leaks for the fanbase to have on repeat. With little else to go off, these brief glimpses are all that there is. Regardless, there's plenty to stay excited about for the upcoming 2025 season.

 Jayden Maiava appears to be in line for the starting quarterback job under head coach Lincoln Riley. There were some murmurs of potentially bringing in Tennessee transfer Nico Iamaleava, but those proved to be invalid when multiple team insiders came out to dispel the rumors.

Officially, it's still a QB battle in Los Angeles. Husan Longstreet could see a jump, even as late as this summer, that pushes him to the forefront of this coaching staff's mind. Until that gets some buzz from reporters, however, Maiava has done and continues to do enough to at least be penciled in as QB1.

Encouraging clip from USC football players

In a clip released from On3's Scott Schrader on X, the redshirt junior can be seen dropping the ball in a bucket for running back Eli Sanders. Without pressure or opposing coverage, it's hard to take too much away from an isolated nine seconds from spring camp. The throw looks good, though, and his mechanics are on.

Without the RB or needing to slow down or break stride, the RB does a nice job getting under the ball in the clip. Maiava's arm talent is there. His ability to make big-time gains is clear. Watching these two get their reps in here could end up being a preview for a potential wheel route later on during the 2025 season for USC football.