“For the Trojans, their journey to the 2025 season begins in the city where they finished last year as Las Vegas Bowl champions, winning a tough game against Texas A&M with a final score of 35-31. Jayden Maiava, now entering his sophomore year as a Trojan, started at quarterback in the bowl game and showed out, throwing for 256 yards on a 56.4% completion rate (22/ 39) and four touchdowns.

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“His arm talent and his decisiveness in which he plays and how he sees things is really unique and has a chance to be really special,” Riley stated on Maiava’s talent at quarterback. “We have really focused in on two big areas this offseason, him continuing to find his voice as a leader, in which he’s really grown and matured and has become comfortable with and I think the second for him, like a lot of young quarterbacks that we’ve had that become pretty solid players, is making sure that you’re mistakes don’t kill us.”

Maiava has experience as a starter, something a few starting quarterbacks ranked over him in the Big Ten don’t have. In games Maiava started last year, he went 3-1 and had a 11-6 touchdown to interception ratio. Maiava needs to limit the interceptions, but that comes with more experience and playing with better timing. Another season under Riley should help him improve.

Maiava has the same traits of the great quarterbacks Riley has coached. With the weapons Maiava has to throw to, Riley’s great playcalling, and another year of cohesion for this offense, we could get yet another highly coveted Lincoln Riley quarterback. USC fans hope Maiava can put together a great season and change the narrative in LA.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Lincoln Riley has belief in USC football quarterback Jayden Maiava