Jayden Maiava lives his days one at a time, working on himself in any way that head coach Lincoln Riley could ask for.
This season, that involved everything from using a lavender mist before going to sleep to developing the ability to calmly work through his progressions.
Maiava could have chosen to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft at the conclusion of this season. When the day came for him to decide what his next move would be, he chose USC.
“There’s still going to be so much more growth left,” Riley said of Maiava after the Alamo Bowl. “Proud of the progress that he’s made, but we know in that room what the standards are both for us as a staff and at this school.”
Maiava could be a top pick in the 2027 NFL Draft if he has a year of progress that matches the strides he made this past season under the guidance of Riley and quarterbacks coach Luke Huard.
He ended the season with 3,711 passing yards — more than any other Big Ten quarterback — and, consequently, more passing yards a game than his conference counterparts at 285.5 yards a game.
While Maiava’s future at quarterback seems bright, the forthcoming quarterback lineage at USC remains hazy.
Backup quarterback Husan Longstreet transferred to LSU two days before the transfer portal window closed to play for Lane Kiffin, leaving a vacancy for the second-string job at USC. Had Longstreet stayed, he likely would have been behind Maiava for another year and would have been nearly a shoo-in for the starting job in his junior year in 2027.
The Trojans have a promising option in incoming freshman Jonas Williams, a dual-threat quarterback and four-star recruit out of Illinois. If Williams is willing to be patient, USC can build its future at the position.
As the first transfer-portal window has wrapped – although exceptions are always possible – here’s a full breakdown of the movement in USC’s quarterback room entering spring, the first in a six-part series examining the post-portal scholarship outlook for every part of the roster.
Quarterback
Returning: Jayden Maiava, Jr.; Dylan Gebbia, R-So.; Gage Roy R-Jr.
Arriving: Jonas Williams (Lincoln-Way East)
Departing: Husan Longstreet, (portal, LSU) Fr., Sam Huard, (eligibility) R-Sr.
Top questions
How will Jayden Maiava elevate his game without Lemon and Lane?
Maiava was one of the Big Ten’s best quarterbacks this season. He also had some of the most reliable receivers in the nation in wideout Ja’Kobi Lane and slot receiver Makai Lemon. Both of them could turn a dicey throw into a high-percentage catch or, in Lemon’s case, go for extra yardage after the initial reception.
“Those two set the standard for the rest of the guys in that room, which is why they’re really special,” Maiava told reporters prior to the Alamo Bowl.
This will be the year that Maiava can prove he is capable of making wise decisions with the ball without the help of the elite receivers he had at his disposal all this season.
He completed 60% of his passes without them in the Alamo Bowl but threw just one touchdown and two interceptions. If Maiava can tap into this season’s experience and build on it, he’ll make the right reads with the newest bunch of receivers.
Can a freshman be a backup quarterback?
Jonas Williams is being heralded for his talent, athleticism and record-setting high school career. He was a four-year starter and his 11,347 passing yards and 147 touchdowns set two Illinois High School Association records.
His quick release, mobility and accuracy make him a perfect fit for Lincoln Riley’s offense.
But then again, Husan Longstreet had gotten heaps of praise prior to his arrival at USC, and Lincoln Riley had even called Longstreet “the perfect guy for us” when they locked him in on National Signing Day.
While Longstreet, a Corona Centennial High grad, hasn’t publicly addressed why he chose to leave USC for LSU, it may have something to do with playing time. He got into four games this season and completed 13 passes for 103 yards. With Maiava coming back next season, the situation could have repeated.
It will be interesting to see when and how Riley will work Williams — no relation to former USC Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams — into his offensive system. More live game reps could ensure the incoming freshman will stick with the process.
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