Former UNLV QB Jayden Maiava Flips From Georgia to USC
Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. Pictured: Former UNLV quarterback Jayden Maiava.
UNLV transfer quarterback Jayden Maiava will not be a Georgia Bulldog.
After committing to Georgia on Monday, Maiava flipped his commitment to Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans on Tuesday night, according to multiple reports.
The addition is big for a USC program undergoing a massive change at the quarterback position. Caleb Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, has declared for the NFL Draft and is widely regarded as the top signal-caller available.
Williams threw for 4,537 yards, 42 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2022 and followed that up with a 3,633-yard, 30-touchdown, five-interception performance in 2023. He also added a combined 518 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground across the two seasons.
That leaves big shoes to fill.
After starting the season as the backup to Doug Brumfield, Maiava burst onto the scene in UNLV's 40-37 win over Vanderbilt by throwing for 261 yards with a touchdown and a pick while adding 29 yards and a score with his legs.
Maiava would remain the starter for the rest of the season, leading the Rebels to a 9-5 record — their first winning season since 2013 — and a sterling 10-3 mark against the spread.
The redshirt freshman finished the season with 3,085 yards to go along with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also added 277 yards and three scores on the ground.
The flip makes sense for Maiava, as he will join a coach in Riley who has developed three Heisman Trophy winners in Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Williams. While he didn't win a Heisman, the success of Jalen Hurts at the NFL level adds another feather to Riley's cap.
With Williams out of the picture and former No. 1 prospect Malachi Nelson transferring to Boise State, Maiava walks into a quarterback competition with Miller Moss.
Moss started one game this season and looked like he was playing at a different speed than his opponent.
In the Holiday Bowl against Louisville, Moss made up for the opt-outs of Williams, running back MarShawn Lloyd and wide receiver Brenden Rice by throwing for 372 yards, six touchdowns and one pick on 23-of-33 passing.
Moss helped USC score 21 points in the second quarter and ultimately propelled the Trojans to a 42-28 bowl victory.
USC enters the season at No. 21 in our own Brett McMurphy's Way-Top-Early Top 25 rankings.
The Trojans' first year in the Big Ten will provide plenty of challenges for whichever player emerges as QB1, as they'll have tests against LSU and Notre Dame in the non-conference portion of the schedule, along with Big Ten matchups against defending national champion Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin and Washington.
The Trojans hold the 14th-shortest odds to win the 2025 CFP National Championship, sitting at +3500 entering the offseason.
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