Are we about to see a quarterback transition at USC? Jayden Maiava’s successful debut as the team’s starter is enough to trigger what-ifs. Under Miller Moss, the Trojans went 5-5 this season. The 26-21 loss to Washington uncorked Lincoln Riley‘s frustration to hand over the starting role to the 21-year-old sophomore, a decision that made everyone wonder why it didn’t happen sooner. 

In his first start, Jayden Maiava turned USC’s fortune around with the huge 28-20 win over Nebraska last Saturday. Big Ten Network uploaded an Instagram reel on November 23 of former CFB player Max Browne breaking down three throws by the underrated Trojans backup. He began with the first touchdown throw by Maiava, saying, “First play, he caught this corner cheating. I think this corner is expecting Zachariah Branch to go on a bubble, and he’s trying to undercut this. Maiava recognizes it and throws this corner fade for a touchdown.”

It’s worth noting that Jayden Maiava opened the game on a dismal note with a pick six in the first quarter. But that didn’t affect his confidence or performance. Right on the next drive, he set things right by connecting with WR Zachariah Branch on a red-zone bubble screen for a 6-yard TD. 

The second throw that Browne emphasized was the 48-yard TD pass to Duce Robinson in the third quarter, which highlighted Maiava’s accuracy and arm strength. The next highlighted throw came in the final quarter when Woody Marks took a fourth-down pitch from the UNLV transfer’s 43 yards. Maiava then sealed the victory with a 2-yard TD run, recording three more TDs and 259 yards in the air. His excellence didn’t go unnoticed following the game. 

Jayden Maiava’s rise to prominence  

“It’s definitely a blessing, for sure,” Jayden Maiava said. Following his big win, he joined the Polynesian USC legends, including his uncle Kaluka, the 2009 Rose Bowl’s defensive MVP, as the first Polynesian QB to start at USC. Maiava was also added to the Polynesian Player of the Year Watch List. 

Despite it being his first start at USC, Jayden Maiava has starter experience at UNLV, where he recorded an outstanding 3,000+ yards and 17 TDs. But his focus remains the same; as he said, “The mentality and the mindset stay the same. Just trying to help my team go 1-0.” As he said, winning is the focus, and USC will seek its bowl eligibility with two more games against UCLA and Notre Dame. Still 5-5 in the 2024 regular college football season. With Maiava holding the reins of the Trojans, is it safe to say that USC’s fortune will change moving forward?