USC Quarterback Jayden Maiava Making Case as Big Ten's Most Dynamic Passer
What stands out about Maiava alongside the rest of his quarterback competition are his numbers through two games. His 707 passing yards and six touchdowns already put him halfway to last season’s totals of 1,201 yards and 11 scores, while also leading the conference.
The Trojans quarterback was ranked third among the conference's signal-callers by Badgers Wire Connor Whelan. Maiava was slotted just behind Oregon’s Dante Moore and right in front of Ohio State's Julian Sayin.
1. Luke Altmyer: Illinois Fighting Illini
2. Dante Moore: Oregon Ducks
3. Jayden Maiava: USC Trojans
4. Julian Sayin: Ohio State Buckeyes
5. Drew Allar: Penn State Nittany Lions
6. Dylan Raiola: Nebraska Cornhuskers
7. Fernando Mendoza: Indiana Hoosiers
8. Demond Williams Jr.: Washington Huskies
9. Aidan Chiles: Michigan State Spartans
10. Danny O’Neil: Wisconsin Badgers
11. Athan Kaliakmanis: Rutgers Scarlet Knights
12. Malik Washington: Maryland Terrapins
13. Drake Lindsay: Minnesota Golden Gophers
14. Bryce Underwood: Michigan Wolverines
15. Nico Iamaleava: UCLA Bruins
16. Ryan Browne: Purdue Boilermakers
17. Mark Gronowski: Iowa Hawkeyes
18. Preston Stone: Northwestern Wildcats
Maiava will have a chance to face some of the Big Ten’s most competitive quarterbacks, including Illinois’ Luke Altmyer, Michigan’s Bryce Underwood and Moore.
Similar to Maiava, Underwood and Moore are both in their first full seasons guiding their respective offenses.
Underwood, the true freshman, looks to bring the Wolverines back to Big Ten dominance following their 8-5 2024 season. Although the five-star recruit is young, his talent and quickness off the snap will take him far in conference play.
