USC quarterback Jayden Maiava is in the running for one of college football’s most community-minded honors.
Maiava was nominated for the American Football Coaches Association’s Good Works Team, a group that recognizes players and coaches for “creating positive impact in their communities through causes ranging from maternal health and youth mentorship to supporting children with disabilities and veterans,” according to the AFCA’s website.
The list of nominees features 162 college football athletes and 13 head coaches. Among the 113 FBS players are Florida State wide receiver Duce Robinson, Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita and Oregon quarterback Dante Moore.
The remaining nominees include 49 student-athletes from the FCS, Divisions II, III and NAIA ranks, plus 13 head coaches. Northwestern College kicker Gianna Bennett is included as the program’s first-ever female nominee, while Ohio State’s Ryan Day, Penn State’s Matt Campbell and Illinois’ Bret Bielema are among the coaches up for the honor.
The final team will include 22 players and one head coach, and it will be announced in September. The team captain chosen from that group will receive the Wuerffel Trophy.
Maiava, a fifth-year quarterback from Hawaii, has made his off-field work part of his identity. In June, he went back to Honolulu’s Pālolo Valley and gave back in several ways. He ran a free youth football clinic for more than 350 local children ages 6 to 14, directed proceeds from the event’s T-shirt sales to Aloha 1st Athletics, a local nonprofit focused on leadership, character development and mental health support through sports, and visited students at Jarrett Middle School and Kaimukī High School, where he attended school.
His community work has also extended to Los Angeles. Maiava has volunteered at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Dream Center and The Midnight Mission, and he has spent time at the Boys & Girls Club, Angel City Sports’ Youth Weekend and The Young Shakespeareans after school program.
On the field, Maiava is entering his final season in cardinal and gold after helping USC finish 9-4 last year. He completed 265 of 403 passes for 3,711 yards and 24 touchdowns, while also adding 54 carries for 157 yards and six rushing scores in 13 games.
His 2024 season brought more recognition, too. Maiava was named to the All-Big Ten third team by the conference, Phil Steele and the Pro Football Sports Network. He was also a finalist for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year award, which went to former Trojan wide receiver Makai Lemon and Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano, and a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien award.
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