RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesUSC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava was eligible to enter the NFL Draft last year, but he wisely decided to return to school. His statistical numbers were definitely there, and he might have indeed been a mid-round pick, had he entered the 2026 draft.
However, the Honolulu, Hawaii native opted-in to the Alamo Bowl last season, for a game that almost all of his key teammates opted-out of.
Maiava committed to play, performed very well in the postseason game, and then returned for another season with the Trojans.
Right now, he's solidly projected to a be a day two selection, and he's on pretty much everybody's top ten QB list for the 2027 draft. He's got prototypical size and throws a great deep ball, but he's still pretty turnover prone.
Not to mention he also needs to work on improving how he works through his progressions.
At Big Ten Media Days, Maiava discussed how he can level up this season (and with that augment his draft stock)
"I think just being able to be a product of any environment," Maiava said, to a group of reporters, from his podium at Big Ten Media Days.
"I can't be a product of just one environment. I got to be a product of all environments. So I think being able to adapt to the environment and just get to know the receivers at a deeper level so we can play at a high level and play fast."
USC loses two all-world wide outs from last season, Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane, so the receiver room is rebuilding this season. Maiava will have to help bring them along.
The Polynesian UNLV transfer discussed his ambition to continue: "just building that chemistry with those guys and everything we got to do to put the offense in the best position to score points."
He then added:
"I mean there's a lot of room for improvement for everybody, across the board including me...constant wanting to learn, that constant wanting to get better, having that mindset of never being satisfied, fundamentally wise, my craft, decision-making, it's kind of the whole thing."
USC has a long illustrious history at the quarterback position , and many of these Trojan legends come by, from time to time, to visit the facilities.
Maiava name-checked three that he's gotten to meet and know: Sam Darnold ( who now has all-time legendary meme status ), Caleb Williams , and Matt Leinart. He then articulated the experience of hanging out with them.
“The cool thing about USC is a lot of different quarterbacks; they come back and visit quite often,” Maiava said from his podium in the Hilton Chicago ballroom.
“I’ve been blessed to just cross paths with them and share a conversation with them.
"That’s really cool for me. Just the whole experience of being the quarterback at USC, it’s tough to beat. They’re legends. Love sitting down and talking to those guys.”
Maiava threw for 3,711 yards and 24 touchdown passes, as well as 157 yards on the ground. If he can build on that, he could really be something.
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: USC QB Jayden Maiava on how he can become the finished product
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