How USC ended up with Jayden Maiava as QB1

SoCal football has a new storyline with Jayden Maiava at QB

A little more than a year ago, Jayden Maiava was a three-star recruit from California without any Power Five offers. Now, he is the starting quarterback of the University of Southern California.

So, how did Maiava end up at USC? It’s a long story.

Maiava's rise to stardom

Maiava's rise to stardom began at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California. As a senior, he threw for 2,538 yards and 28 touchdowns and ran for 713 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Despite his impressive stats, Maiava was not heavily recruited by Power Five schools. He received offers from San Jose State, UNLV and Nevada, but he ultimately decided to walk on at USC.

As a walk-on, Maiava quickly impressed the USC coaching staff with his arm strength and athleticism. He earned a scholarship in the spring of 2022 and was named the backup quarterback to Jaxson Dart.

Maiava gets his chance

Maiava got his chance to start when Dart transferred to Ole Miss in the summer of 2023. Maiava started the first game of the season against Rice and threw for 245 yards and two touchdowns in a 66-14 win.

Maiava has continued to impress in his starts for USC. He has thrown for 1,234 yards and 10 touchdowns with just one interception in four games.

The future of USC football

With Maiava at quarterback, the future of USC football looks bright. Maiava is a talented player with a lot of potential and he is surrounded by a talented supporting cast.

The Trojans are 3-1 this season and are ranked No. 20 in the AP Poll. They have a chance to win the Pac-12 Championship and make a run at the College Football Playoff.

Conclusion

Jayden Maiava's journey from walk-on to starting quarterback is a testament to his hard work and determination. He is a talented player with a lot of potential and he is the future of USC football.