USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava was eligible to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft but decided to return for one more season under coach Lincoln Riley. As a result, the Trojans enter the year with one of the top quarterbacks in the all of college football, let alone the Big Ten.

Recently ranked as the No. 4 quarterback in the nation by ESPN's Greg McElroy , Maiava's return to USC comes with high expectations, thanks in part to Riley's previous success developing quarterbacks.

Jayden Maiava's Biggest Key

Nov 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) and head coach Lincoln Riley react after the game against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.…