BYU QB Transfer Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters Commits to Bronco Mendenhall and New Mexico

Former BYU quarterback Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters has committed to Bronco Mendenhall and the New Mexico Lobos. Maiava-Peters, who started one game for BYU in his career, has three years of eligibility remaining.

Sol-Jay signed with BYU as part of the 2020 recruiting class. He spent three years in Provo from 2020-2022. In 2023, he was moved to running back. But by the time Fall camp rolled around, he was not on the roster. After the season, he entered the transfer portal. He spent a few months in the transfer portal before ending up in Albuquerque.

Maiava-Peters will be remembered for his performance in the 2022 New Mexico Bowl. Sol-Jay was the fourth-string quarterback heading into the season behind Jaren Hall, Jacob Conover, and Cade Fennegan. With starter Jaren Hall out with an injury and backup Jacob Conover in the transfer portal, BYU turned to Cade Fennegan and Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters in the practices leading up to the bowl game. Fennegan was dealing with his own ankle injury, so BYU turned to Sol-Jay.

In that game, Maiava-Peters led BYU to a 24-23 win over the Mustangs. He went 7/12 for 47 yards and 1 interception. He led the Cougars in rushing with 96 yards on 14 carries and 1 touchdown. The BYU defense stopped an SMU two-point conversion in the last moments of the game to hold on for the victory.

Maiava-Peters will suit up for former BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall. After a year off from coaching in 2023, Mendenhall took the head job at New Mexico.