USC Football: Lincoln Riley Comments on Jayden Maiava, Trojans QB Battle

Eva Geitheim | Mar 26, 2024

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One of the top storylines for USC football during spring practices this year is the quarterback battle between Miller Moss and Jayden Maiava. With Caleb Williams departing for the 2024 NFL Draft, the Trojans are looking for one of the two passers to take over as QB1.

Many expected and still believe Moss will get that role. Moss looked to snatch the job during his impressive Holliday Bowl performance, when he threw for 372 yards, six touchdowns, and one pick. However, the Trojans decided to bring in competition with former UNLV quarterback Jayden Maiava. Maiava was the Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year in 2023, throwing for 3,085 yards along with 17 touchdowns and 10 picks.

Now that Moss and Maiava are battling it out, Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley opened up on the process of recruiting Maiava to USC.

“He came over here and visited. We had a good visit," Riley said, via The Athletic's Antonio Morales. "We felt like we had a pretty attractive situation. We knew exactly what we were looking for ... we wanted someone at the end of the day who wanted to come compete here and who believed in themselves enough to come complete. We think this is a pretty good place to come play quarterback. He went through his process and at the end, I think he decided this is where he wanted to be."

Now, Maiava is working on making his mark and competing for the starting quarterback role in spring practice. Riley added that he's seen a lot of "poise" from Maiava through a week of spring practices so far.

"He’s had control of what we’re doing in the first couple days even though its first few practices with us," Riley said. "He’s off to a good start. He’s a poised kid. You could tell he’s not like some true freshman coming in here who’s wide-eyed. He’s played. He’s learned how to prepare and you see that out on the field.” 

Expect Moss and Maiava to duke it out for the job this spring, with the official decision likely coming after the fpring football game or the end of spring practices.