USC has three more names on a preseason watch list that already reads like a Trojans showcase.
Quarterback Jayden Maiava, along with offensive linemen Alani Noa and Justin Tauanuu, has been named to the 2026 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Watch List. The annual honor goes to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry who shows exceptional ability and integrity on and off the field.
The Trojans have had plenty of success with the award before. Talanoa Hufanga won it in 2020, Tuli Tuipulotu took it in 2022 and Makai Lemon was the 2025 recipient.
Maiava keeps stacking preseason recognition. He’s already on the Maxwell Award Watch List, the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Watch List and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List.
He was also one of 12 Big Ten players named to the 2026 Big Ten Football Preseason Honors list. On top of that, he’s been nominated for the Allstate AFCA Goodworks Team and landed on the Wuerffel Trophy watch list for his community service and leadership beyond the field.
The numbers from 2025 explain the attention. Maiava, a 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 last season, completing 265 of 403 passes for 3,711 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also ran for 157 yards on 54 carries and scored six rushing touchdowns.
In a rare stat line for a quarterback, he also logged one tackle and one forced fumble, making him one of two FBS quarterbacks to do that in 2025.
His postseason hardware followed the same pattern. 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 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 selection and a Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week.
Noa is back for another season as a senior and brings real experience up front. Over three years, he has appeared in 29 games and made 22 starts, split between 12 at left guard and 10 at right guard. In 2025, he played in 11 games, missing only UCLA and the Alamo Bowl against TCU, and started 10 times.
Tauanuu has also built a solid resume in a short time. In two seasons, he has played in 16 games and started 13, with 12 starts at right tackle and one at left tackle. As a redshirt freshman in 2025, he appeared in and started all 13 games.
USC’s offensive line helped power a productive season. The Trojans finished the regular season No. 7 in the nation, ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten in passing offense at 297.3 yards per game, and were No. 10 nationally in total offense at 471.6 yards per game, good for second in the conference. Noa and Tauanuu both earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2025.
The watch list is only the first step. Finalists for the 2026 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 8, with the winner revealed on Dec.
- The award will be presented at the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner on Jan. 16, 2027, and the honorees will also be recognized during the Polynesian Bowl on Jan.
15, 2027.
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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 🡒]
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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
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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 🡒]