Jayden Maiava’s stock is climbing fast, and the latest evidence came in USC’s 30-18 win over then-No. 2 Ohio State.
The Trojans quarterback put on a show with 222 passing yards and one touchdown in front of 14 NFL scouts, all of them posted up inside the Otis Booth Press Box at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. That performance has now pushed Maiava into first-round territory in one national mock draft, with CBS Sports NFL Draft expert Ryan Wilson slotting him at No. 30 overall to the Minnesota Vikings.
Wilson said, "I've been a big Maiava fan since last season. And I love the idea of a rhythm, pocket passer playing in KOC's [coach Kevin O'Connell's] offense. He's not going to blow you away with his physical tools, but he does a lot of things at a very high level,"
Maiava would be the fifth quarterback taken in Wilson’s projection. Miami quarterback Darian Mensah goes first among the group at No. 4 to the New York Jets, followed by Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker at No. 6 to the Cleveland Browns.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, who has not played since the concussion he suffered in the Sept. 26 win over Maiava’s USC team, is mocked to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 12.
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss rounds out the first-round group at No. 28 to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Vikings landing spot adds another layer to the conversation because of what’s already happening in Minnesota. The team is led by Kyler Murray, Lincoln Riley’s former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, and there’s a real possibility the Vikings could move in a different direction for the 2027 offseason. Murray is on a one-year deal worth $1.3 million.
For now, though, Murray has helped Minnesota surge to a 6-1 start. He has thrown five touchdown passes against three interceptions and has 1,022 passing yards plus 167 rushing yards.
Minnesota could still decide to build for what comes next under center, especially if the NFC North leaders choose a quarterback in the first round of the next draft class.
There’s also a familiar echo here for USC and Vikings fans alike. Minnesota once viewed Michigan and former national champion JJ McCarthy as its future, while signing former USC quarterback Sam Darnold as the backup before the 2024 season.
McCarthy then tore his ACL early in his rookie year, Darnold stepped in and produced a career-best season that helped Minnesota to a 14-3 record, and the Vikings later lost him after his one-year deal. Darnold then led the Seattle Seahawks to the 2025 Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots.
That’s the kind of setup Wilson’s mock could recreate, only this time with two former Riley quarterbacks in the mix. Maiava still has work to do, but the path to the first round is clearly there.
A strong finish against No. 4 Indiana and No.
5 UCLA would only make the case louder.
In Other News...
USC's Playoff Push Still Hinges On One Problem They Haven't Solved
USCs win over then-No. 2 Ohio State gave the Trojans the kind of resume boost that can change the conversation in a hurry, and the initial College Football Playoff rankings reflected that with a No. 20 debut. But the path from here is still steep, and the next stretch is the kind that will tell the rest of the sport whether this team is a real contender or just a dangerous one with a signature win on the ledger.
Road trips to No. 4 Indiana and No. 6 UCLA now loom as the defining tests of the season, because those games will go a long way toward deciding whether USC stays in the playoff mix. They also carry broader implications for Lincoln Riley, whose teams have been uneven away from home, with a 7-11 record in true road games over the past three seasons. [Read more 🡒]
Caleb Williams Is Giving USC Fans A New NFL Bragging Right
Caleb Williams put together another eye-catching showing in Week 8, and for USC fans, it was the kind of pro performance that keeps the old quarterback pipeline feeling very much alive. The former Trojans star led the way among ex-USC players that week with a productive outing against Seattle, piling up the passing yards and touchdowns that made him the clear headliner in a slate full of mixed results for the programs alumni.
Around him, the rest of the former Trojans delivered a range of contributions, with some making noticeable impacts and others leaving more to be desired. Still, Williams was the name that stood out most, and his latest performance only adds to the growing sense that USC has another NFL bragging right to point to as the season moves forward. [Read more 🡒]
USC Defender Reveals What Fueled Ohio States Red Zone Frustration
USCs defense gave Ohio State plenty to think about in Week 9, leaning into a physical style that showed up in the trenches and around the line of scrimmage. The Trojans finished with two sacks, seven tackles for loss, a quarterback hit and a fumble recovery, and they held the Buckeyes to nine points in the first half while repeatedly making the field feel crowded near the goal line.
Freshman edge rusher Luke Wafle pointed to the groups trust and focus as a big reason the red zone frustration kept building for Ohio State, especially on the final drive when USC came up with a goal line stand. With the bye week now here, the Trojans are using the extra time to stay disciplined and keep sharpening the defensive standards that showed up in that performance. [Read more 🡒]