USC quarterback Jayden Maiava keeps stacking preseason recognition, and the latest nod puts him on the 2026 Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Preseason Watch List, announced Aug. 17.
The Walter Camp honor is one of college football’s oldest individual awards, and USC has already put plenty of hardware in its trophy case. Six Trojans have won it: O.J. Simpson in 1967 and 1968, Charles White in 1979, Marcus Allen in 1981, Matt Leinart in 2004, Reggie Bush in 2005 and Caleb Williams in 2022.
Maiava’s name has been popping up everywhere this preseason. He’s already on the Maxwell Award Watch List, was one of 12 Big Ten players selected to the 2026 Big Ten Football Preseason Honors list, and has also been nominated for the Allstate AFCA Goodworks Team and placed on the Wuerffel Trophy watch list for his work in community service and leadership beyond football.
On the field, Maiava is coming off a big 2025 season. The 2025 All-Big Ten Third Team quarterback led the nation with a 91.2 QBR and has 31 career starts.
He started all 13 games for USC in 2025, completing 265 of 403 passes for 3,711 yards and 24 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. He also added 157 rushing yards on 54 carries and scored six rushing touchdowns.
Maiava’s stat line included something you don’t see from quarterbacks every day: one tackle and one forced fumble. He was one of only two FBS quarterbacks to do that in 2025.
The postseason honors kept coming after that. Maiava was named to the 2025 All Big Ten Third Team, the 2025 Phil Steele All-Big Ten Third Team and the Pro Football Sports Network All-Big Ten Third Team. He also was a Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award finalist, a Davey O’Brien Award semifinalist, a two-time Davey O’Brien Great 8 recipient and a Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week honoree.
The Walter Camp watch list will be trimmed to 10 semifinalists in early November, then three finalists will be announced in early December. The winner, selected by the 138 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors, will be revealed in the second week of December.
In Other News...
Zuriah Fisher Offers An Early Read On USCs New Defensive Identity
USCs defense is trying to look like a different unit heading into 2026, and the changes have come fast enough to match the ambition. Gary Patterson is in as defensive coordinator, five transfers have been added on that side of the ball, and former Penn State edge rusher Zuriah Fisher is part of the group tasked with helping reshape the Trojans into something sturdier and more disruptive. Fisher brings five years of Big Ten experience with him, and his presence fits the broader push for a defense that plays with more force and confidence.
Fisher has been back on the field after a brief setback in fall camp, and he has had a close view of what Patterson is asking for. The early signs have centered on a better baseline of physicality, especially from the younger players who are starting to grow into bigger roles and leadership responsibilities. It is still early, but the Trojans appear to be building a defense that wants to hit first and set the tone rather than react to it. [Read more 🡒]
USC Heads Into Game Week With One Roster Battle Suddenly Heating Up
USC wrapped its final full on-field practice before game week with a session that looked and sounded a lot like a team trying to get its last details in order. The Trojans worked through positional drills and special teams periods, with coaches active on the field and several players available to talk about where things stand as the opener approaches. Prophet Brown and RJ Sermons both offered insight into their health, versatility and the way the group is handling the final stretch before the season begins.
The biggest note from the workout was how cleanly it came together at a time when many teams are still sorting out their depth charts and physical status. USC did not come away from the day with any fresh injury alarms, and the overall tone suggested a roster settling into game-week rhythm rather than one scrambling to patch holes. Even so, there is still enough movement at key spots to keep one roster battle worth watching as the Trojans head into the final countdown. [Read more 🡒]
USC Linebacker Battle Is Bringing Real Pressure To Returning Starters
The linebacker room has become one of the more interesting spots in USC camp heading into 2026, and that is exactly the kind of pressure the Trojans have been looking for. Returning starters Desman Stephens and Jadyn Walker are back in the mix, but they are no longer operating with anything close to a clear runway, with Washington transfer Deven Bryant pushing for a role and freshman Talanoa Ili drawing attention as well.
Lincoln Riley has singled out Bryant and Ili as standouts, a sign that the competition is doing more than simply filling practice reps. For USC, the larger goal is to raise the level of play at linebacker and build a stronger defensive front, which makes this one of the more important position battles on the roster as the season approaches. [Read more 🡒]