Trojans by position: USC QB room

As the USC Trojans’ 2025 college football season quickly approaches, this article marks the debut of a new series titled "Trojans By Position." In this series, we’ll break down each position group on the roster and spotlight the most important player at each spot, whether due to talent, leadership, or the potential impact they’ll have on USC’s success this fall. First up: The Quarterbacks.

This position group might be the most anticlimactic entry in the series, as there’s little mystery surrounding who will lead the Trojans' offense in 2025. All signs point to Jayden Maiava claiming the starting quarterback role after taking over for Miller Moss last season. Maiava started four games in 2024 and showed enough promise to earn Lincoln Riley’s trust heading into the new campaign. Barring any surprises, it’s expected, implied, and heavily foreshadowed that he’ll once again be at the helm of Riley’s offense.

In total, Jayden Maiava appeared in five games for the Trojans last season. He first saw the field in a cleanup role during USC’s Week 2 blowout win over Utah State. Later in the year, he was named the starter for the final four games of the season, facing a tough slate that included Nebraska, UCLA, Notre Dame, and Texas A&M. Maiava made the most of his opportunity, accounting for 15 total touchdowns and 6 interceptions while leading USC to a 3-1 record as a starter. His only loss came against the eventual national championship runner-up Notre Dame Fighting Irish, a high-octane battle in which he still impressed as he accounted for 360 passing yards and five total touchdowns. Maiava also led a game winning drive in the Las Vegas Bowl that saw USC beat Texas A&M.

Deeper dive into USC starter

There’s plenty to unpack when it comes to Jayden Maiava, especially considering this marks thesecond straight offseason in which Lincoln Riley chose not to aggressively pursue a quarterback in the transfer portal. That decision speaks volumes. It suggests Riley not only trusts Maiava but also has confidence in the depth and potential of the entire quarterback room. At 6’4” and 230 pounds, Maiava brings a true dual-threat dynamic to the offense, something that historically meshes well with Riley’s scheme.

His mobility and playmaking ability offer a sharp contrast to Miller Moss, a more traditional pocket passer whose fit in the system didn’t produce the same rhythm or explosiveness down the stretch last season. A major concern for Maiava is the turnover, as he contributed five interceptions over the last two games of the season. There is no doubt that Riley has spent the offseason ensuring that Jayden has the confidence, knowledge, and composure to operate an offense that can be one of the most explosive in the conference and the nation.