Can USC quarterback Jayden Maiava take Fernando Mendoza-like leap in 2026?

Can USC quarterback Jayden Maiava take Fernando Mendoza-like leap in 2026?

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Can USC quarterback Jayden Maiava take Fernando Mendoza-like leap in 2026?

College football continued to get underway in Week 0 on Saturday. Among the teams kicking off their seasons, the USC Trojans hosted the San Jose State Spartans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

USC dominated San Jose State en route to a 42-26 victory. In a season when Lincoln Riley needs to deliver in a big way, Saturday got things off to a strong start. The Trojans also have several prospects eligible for the 2027 NFL Draft, including quarterback Jayden Maiava.

As speculation surrounding next April’s draft continues, quarterback has been one of the biggest talking points. Eligible prospects include Arch Manning, Dante Moore, and LaNorris Sellers. Maiava, though, seems to be flying somewhat under the radar.

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He checks many of the boxes scouts look for in an NFL quarterback. Maiava stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 230 pounds, giving him more than enough size to withstand hits at the NFL level. He also possesses impressive arm talent and the athletic ability to extend plays.

NCAA Football: San Jose State at Southern California

Aug 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) calls a play during the third quarter against Southern California at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Currently, Maiava ranks as the No. 44 prospect on the Mock Draft Database consensus board. Is he a forgotten prospect, or does he still need to earn recognition as a potential first-round pick?

Maiava’s Big Year Is Here

In 2025, Maiava threw for 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while nearly eclipsing 4,000 passing yards. He also added six rushing touchdowns, further highlighting his athletic upside.

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Perhaps most impressive was his 9.2 yards per attempt. His average depth of target (ADOT) in 2025 was 9.5 yards. For context, Fernando Mendoza’s ADOT last year was 9.4 yards.

NCAA Football: UCLA at Southern California

Nov 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) carries the ball against UCLA Bruins defensive back Key Lawrence (4) in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

While Maiava’s touchdown-to-interception ratio may not stand out to some, he clearly possesses many of the traits scouts look for. His strong showing Saturday could be a sign of things to come.

Maiava completed 25 of 29 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns against the Spartans. Can he make a Mendoza-type rise this season? After all, Fernando Mendoza was viewed by many as more of a second- or third-round pick entering last season.

If there’s a quarterback outside of the usual suspects to watch closely in 2026, it almost certainly has to be Maiava.

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