Jayden Maiava is the kind of quarterback prospect NFL teams will keep circling back to once the fall tape starts piling up. USC’s signal-caller already brings a package that jumps off the page: size, arm talent, movement, and enough polish to make scouts lean in.
Listed at 6-4 and 230 pounds, Maiava entered college as a 3-Star prospect according to 247 Sports before transferring from UNLV to USC. His resume already includes Mountain West Freshman of the Year in 2023, second-team All-Mountain West in 2023, and third-team All-Big Ten in 2025.
The production is there too. Heading into 2026, Maiava has logged 31 starts, 925 pass attempts, 7,997 passing yards, and 8.6 yards per attempt. PFF’s numbers paint the same picture of a quarterback who can create and attack: 54 big-time throws, a 5 turnover worthy play rate, a 9.5-yard average depth of target, and a 71.3% adjusted completion percentage.
What makes him stand out is how he gets to those numbers. Maiava works through his progressions, delivers throws to every level of the field with touch and accuracy, and can make plays while on the move. He’s comfortable throwing on the run and across his body, and he has the confidence to throw receivers open rather than waiting for them to uncover.
There’s also a clear pocket presence to his game. Maiava keeps his eyes downfield while navigating pressure, showing the kind of patience that gives a play a chance to survive. He has enough movement skills to escape, but he’d rather stay alive in the pocket and make something happen through the air.
That’s the appeal here: Jayden Maiava is a really fun quarterback prospect with traits NFL teams are going to like. The touch, the accuracy, the ability to work all levels, and the willingness to keep looking downfield all give him a profile worth tracking closely.
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