USC’s quarterback situation is already pointing toward a transition, and that’s part of what makes the idea of Arch Manning ending up in Los Angeles so intriguing.
Jayden Maiava is expected to be in his final stretch leading the Trojans after choosing to return to school instead of entering the 2026 NFL Draft. At the same time, Manning’s future at Texas is drawing plenty of speculation, with many fans and analysts wondering whether a move in 2027 might make sense.
One of the loudest voices in that conversation is NFL Network draft scout Daniel Jeremiah, who believes Manning should consider a new home rather than either jumping to the April draft or staying put in Austin. Jeremiah even pointed to USC as a top landing spot if Manning decides to enter the portal.
He explained the fit on Bruce Feldman’s “Move the Sticks” podcast, saying, "They have an absolute freak show tight end [Mark Bowman] and freak show receivers. And if he survives and can get through the season, they’ve got a head coach who’s made productive, Heisman Trophy, first overall pick quarterbacks. For all the criticism of [coach] Lincoln Riley, the track record there is pretty good," Jeremiah said to Bruce Feldman.
On the surface, it’s an appealing idea for Manning. Texas and Steve Sarkisian would almost certainly try to keep him in Austin if he seriously entertained leaving, but Manning’s college career has already had its share of uneven moments.
His highly anticipated full 2025 debut got off to a rough start, and Texas ultimately missed the College Football Playoff. This season, the Longhorns and Trojans both have two losses, and a third could knock either team out of CFP contention.
The USC angle also makes sense because of Lincoln Riley’s history with transfer quarterbacks. Riley leaned into that model back in Norman and has continued to use it at USC.
Baker Mayfield came in from Texas Tech and won the Heisman Trophy. Kyler Murray arrived from Texas A&M and followed with a Heisman of his own in 2018.
Jalen Hurts spent one season there after transferring from Alabama.
USC’s most recent Heisman winner at quarterback, Caleb Williams, also came through the portal after joining Riley from Oklahoma. Now Maiava, the former UNLV quarterback, is drawing pre-draft and even some Heisman buzz under Riley while posting career-best numbers.
That track record is why the Manning-to-USC idea, as wild as it sounds, can’t be dismissed outright. And with Maiava likely headed toward the 2027 draft, USC will eventually need another answer at quarterback - possibly one that keeps Riley’s recent run of portal success rolling.
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For USC, the timing adds an extra layer to a game already worth watching. The Trojans are set to face Indiana on Nov. 14, with CBS carrying the matchup, which means the spotlight around Cignettis latest fight is not just about rankings and rhetoric. It also lands in the middle of a schedule where every high-profile game can shape how the rest of the season is framed, and who gets the most favorable air around it. [Read more 🡒]