USC QB Jayden Maiava returning to Trojans in 2026

Field Level Media|published: Tue 16th December, 15:22 2025

Nov 15, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) throws against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

After leading the Big Ten Conference with 3,431 passing yards through the regular-season schedule, Southern California quarterback Jayden Maiava committed Tuesday to returning to the Trojans program in 2026.

Maiava completed 66.2% of his passes with 23 touchdowns against eight interceptions while leading USC to a 9-3 record. The Trojans are set to face TCU in the Dec. 30 Alamo Bowl at San Antonio, Texas.

In two seasons at USC, Maiava has completed 64.2 percent of his passes for 4,632 yards and 34 touchdowns with 14 interceptions. The Hawaii native, who started his college career at UNLV in 2023, took over as USC's starting quarterback late last season.

While the Trojans are set to lose a pair of the nation's top wide receivers in Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane to the NFL draft, the program will return wideouts Tanook Hines and Zacharyus Williams, along with running back Waymond Jordan.

--Field Level Media