Jayden Maiava Sets Sights on USC Playoff Glory

Armed with elite talent and breakout momentum, USC quarterback Jayden Maiava looks to steer the Trojans to their first ever College Football Playoff appearance. Jayden Maiava enters his senior season as the starting quarterback for the USC Trojans, carrying immense expectations as a preseason Heisman Trophy contender with FanDuel listing him at +2500.  Standing tall at 6’4” and 230 pounds, the powerful gunslinger faces a historic challenge: guiding the Trojans to the College Football Playoff for the first time in the program’s illustrious history. Maiava is coming off a stellar breakout campaign where he started all 13 games, leading USC to a 9-4 record.  He put up career highs with 3,711 passing yards and 30 total touchdowns while completing 66% of his passes.  Displaying elite arm talent, he notably led all college quarterbacks nationally with 39 completions of 20 yards or more downfield.  His dynamic play earned him third-team all-conference honors and cemented his status as a semifinalist for the prestigious Davey O’Brien Award. Before anchoring the USC offense – where he previously made history as the first Polynesian quarterback to start a game for the Trojans – his journey began at UNLV. There, he initially redshirted before stepping into the starting role early in his freshman year.  He quickly made his mark by capturing the 2023 Mountain West Freshman of the Year award alongside second-team all-conference recognition. Now 22 years old, the quarterback of Samoan-descent forged his path through considerable adversity.  He grew up in Hawaii and threw for over 3,300 yards at Kaimuki High before his senior season was canceled due to the pandemic.  That disruption forced a pivotal move back to Nevada’s Liberty High, where he persevered to play in the state championship and developed into a three-star recruit. With his unique blend of physical traits, collegiate experience, and high-level poise, Maiava is ready to etch his name into USC lore.