USC spent much of fall camp preparing for San Jose State without knowing exactly who would be taking the snaps. That changed on Aug. 19, when ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel reported that Luke Weaver had won the job for the Spartans.
For Lincoln Riley and defensive coordinator Gary Patterson, the matchup now has a clearer shape. USC knows it will be dealing with a quarterback who has already shown he can win games, and who brings a different kind of transfer background than Trojans starter Jayden Maiava. Weaver, like Maiava, arrived from the Mountain West, though Weaver stayed within that conference footprint and also brings bowl-game experience.
Thamel posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, "Weaver went 2-0 as a starter for Hawaii last year and threw the game winning touchdown in relief in the Hawai‘i Bowl," Thamel posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Weaver won a close camp battle with redshirt freshman Robert McDaniel and true freshman Daniel Rolovich. In five games last year, Weaver completed 63-of-105 passes for 628 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions."
Weaver’s path to San Jose State started well before Hawai’i. His college journey began at Modesto Junior College, where he played from 2022 to 2024 and put up 5,332 passing yards with 44 touchdowns in two seasons as a starter. That run earned him All-American honors in JUCO and Valley Conference Most Valuable Player recognition.
Before he became a junior college standout, Weaver was a multi-sport athlete at East Union High School in Manteca. He played football, basketball, volleyball and golf, and closed his senior season with 3,173 passing yards and 31 touchdowns.
Even with that production, he remained under the radar and eventually took the JUCO route. Hawai’i became his lone offer out of junior college, and he emerged there as a three-star recruit.
Now USC has to prepare for a fast-paced San Jose State offense built on quick decisions and quick throws. The Spartans’ system has already produced big numbers, including the nation’s receiving leader Danny Scudero in 2025, even though Scudero transferred to Colorado this season. The tempo stays high either way, and the quarterback has to keep the ball moving.
That puts a premium on USC taking away Weaver’s first read and tightening up the middle of the field. Patterson could lean on linebacker Desman Stephens II to handle intermediate routes, especially since that area was a favorite target for San Jose State last season. Kennedy Urlacher could also help by staying centered on the intermediate game.
USC will still need help deep, too. Patterson’s preference for a five-defensive back look gives the Trojans a way to keep two safeties deep while another defensive back works closer to the line of scrimmage.
Up front, though, that’s where USC can really change the game. The Trojans need pressure from Jamaal Jarrett, Floyd Boucard, Jahkeem Stewart and Michigan State transfer Alex VanSumeren. Weaver is not much of a runner, and San Jose State’s offense becomes more dangerous when its quarterback has time to sit in the pocket and throw.
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