USC Trojans’ Lincoln Riley Makes Bold Statement On Quarterback Jayden Maiava, Competition

USC Trojans redshirt junior Jayden Maiava has begun to separate himself in the team's quarterback competition this spring. USC coach Lincoln Riley raved about the growth he's seen from Maiava in his second season with the program.

Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) throws against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

With less than a week left in spring practice, USC Trojans coach Lincoln Riley provided an update on the quarterback situation involving redshirt junior Jayden Maiava and five-star early enrollee Husan Longstreet. 

“Jayden’s clearly the No. 1 quarterback right now, which is not surprising at all,” Riley said. 

Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) throws against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The statement shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Maiava took over for as the Trojans starter late in the 2024 season. In his four starts, he guided USC to a 3-1 record, which included big wins over crosstown rival UCLA and Texas A&M in the Las Vegas Bowl. 

Before that, Maiava led UNLV to its most wins since 1984 and the programs first-ever appearance in the Mountain West Championship Game in 2023, claiming the conference’s freshman of the year honors in the process. 

This time last year Maiava was new to campus and trying to learn Riley’s offense, but now in his second season working with the Trojans coach, Maiava feels more confident, he sounds more confident, and it has been noticeable to his teammates and the Trojans staff. 

Riley talked about where he’s seen Maiava improve over the past few weeks of spring practice. 

“Decision-making. Especially in the last five, six practices he’s really been strong,” Riley said. “Throwing the ball well, which he’s always done, understanding what we’re trying to accomplish offensively, not just his role in it. Understanding the big picture. 

"He's been really good in the situational drives and moments that we've put him in. He's just gaining momentum and gaining steam … he’s getting better quickly and you can see the sense of urgency and work he has behind it right now,” Riley continued. 

Longstreet is one of 14 recruits from the Trojans 2025 class that have enrolled early to take part in spring practice, something that has become more of a norm in college football. 

The highly touted prospect out of nearby Corona Centennial (Calif.) was a frequent visitor on campus after flipping his commitment from Texas A&M to USC in mid-November, just a couple of weeks before the early national signing period. 

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Longstreet joined the team for the last week and a half of bowl practice and was able to acclimate himself to life as a Trojan before he officially became a student in the winter. 

“He’s getting better,” Riley said. “He does some great things, he still makes some freshman mistakes from time to time, he’s still growing and learning. 

The talent that made Longstreet a five-star prospect jumps out on the field. Maiava may have separated himself in the quarterback competition, but Riley heads the summer months excited about where Longstreet is in his development. 

“Husan has done a really nice job," Riley said. "He makes a lot of explosive plays. I would expect there in the summer he would have an opportunity to get a lot better.

After losing two of its three scholarship quarterbacks from 2024, Miller Moss and Jake Jensen to the transfer portal, USC has a new-look quarterback room in 2025. In addition to signing Longstreet, the Trojans added former five-star quarterback Sam Huard. 

The redshirt senior has bounced around, suiting up for Washington, Cal Poly and Utah over the past four seasons.

“I feel like we have three guys we could go win with," Riley said. "All three guys have shown the ability to move the football, command the offense and have all trended in a positive way."

Nov 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley greets quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) after scoring a touchdown against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The Trojans three quarterbacks have only been together a short amount of time, but the new crop of signal-callers have bonded and are in equal in their desire to get better everyday. 

“We compete every single day," Maiava said. "We push each other. We go out there and just keep grinding, attacking everyday with the same mindset and executing plays and really just stacking them, getting ready for summer ball, fall camp and so forth."