Jayden Maiava's experience in Lincoln Riley's system matters for USC

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USC football faces a lot of question marks and points of uncertainty going into the 2026 season. However, the Trojans have some strengths. Jayden Maiava returning for a second full season under Lincoln Riley (his third overall) is one. Tom Fornelli of CBS is sold on USC because he knows how well Lincoln Riley teaches and develops quarterbacks.

"I can't believe I'm doing this, but I'm buying the USC Trojans. I've seen so many people burned by this in the past that I should be smart enough to take a wait-and-see approach, but I can't. Yes, the Trojans lost a few big names, like stud receiver Makai Lemon, but they have a ton coming back from a team that finished 9-4 last year and was competitive in its three losses to Illinois, Notre Dame and Oregon. Those returning starters include QB Jayden Maiava, who improved as the season went along, and now gets a second season playing under Lincoln Riley. Given Riley's track record with quarterbacks, we should all be pretty optimistic about what we'll get from Maiava. The Trojans also see most of their rushing production return, as well as 2,937 snaps between five offensive linemen."

There's no question that Jayden Maiava returning for 2026 gives USC a chance to be very good. USC's offense struggled in 2024 but was much better in 2025. Rising to an even higher standard in 2026 will give the Trojans a chance to make the College Football Playoff. Lincoln Riley has struggled at USC, but the quarterback position is not a source of real concern going into Riley's — and USC's — pivotal 2026 campaign.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: 2026 USC football has flaws, but Jayden Maiava is not one of them

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