The quarterback whisperer might be running out of time at USC. Three seasons in, and the HC is sitting at a 26-14 record. Frustration is mounting among fans, with patience running thin, week after week. Even last season, when Lincoln Riley finished 7-6, the overall record could have been even worse, only if it wasn’t for their new QB Jayden Maiava. The QB took over a team’s offense that was reeling with 5 losses, including programs like Maryland, defeating the Trojans 29-28. But after Maiava took over, all that changed rapidly.
Maiava started 4 games last season, including USC’s rivalry game against Notre Dame. He couldn’t quite win that Irish fixture but showed his brilliance in three of the trickiest games of the season. Nebraska, UCLA (on the road), and Texas A&M in the Bowl game. The QB helped win them all and finished the season with 1,201 passing and 45 rushing yards for 15 touchdowns. These performances established Maiava’s position ahead of Miller Moss and bolstered his case for the 2025 season. But even as his stock rose, there were warning signs.
Everyone knew transitioning from the Mountain West schedule to a tougher schedule of the Big 10 would bring growing pains. We saw those problems in the form of multiple-turnover games and plays that had multiple interceptions. For instance, against Notre Dame, the former UNLV QB threw for 360 yards, but gave away two pick-sixes that cost the Trojans their game. Moreover, we saw the QB’s confidence lacking in big games, and that led to some sketchy decision-making. Having said that, it’s undeniable that the raw talent is there. And Lincoln Riley, for one, isn’t giving up on him.
Lincoln Riley, speaking on the 23rd May Episode of the ‘ESPN College Football’ podcast, was asked a similar question about Jayden Maiava. “What’s a reasonable expectation from the quarterback spot?” The head coach, without mincing any words, straight up bolstered Jayden’s case and proclaimed in four words, “his good is so good.” So, while acknowledging Jayden’s ability, the head coach then said what work the QB needs to do in the QB room. “The big goal for us is trimming some of the fat off of this, right? It’s like it’s can you take the good, certainly try to enhance that, but then can you take some of the negative plays or some of the forced throws, and can you remove those from his game?” The head coach even declared Jayden to be elite, barring a few caveats.
” I think his understanding of the offense, he’s continuing to get better physically. I think he’s going to move around better for us this year, but if we can trim a few of those decisions off of him, which I certainly believe that we can, this guy’s got a chance to be elite.” Certainly, when Jayden came to USC, the potential was always going to be on an elite tier. After all, the QB was coming after a season with UNLV producing 3,085 passing and 277 rushing yards for 13 touchdowns.
Now he is one full year in the system. He had the whole offseason with the team, the trajectory is undoubtedly going to be upwards with him. Add to that, he has ‘the’ quarterback whisperer as his head coach, who has developed QBs like Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. Now, if Maiava stays consistent, he is destined to be successful.
More troubles for Lincoln Riley in the QB room?
The QB room this year at USC isn’t just limited to Jayden Maiava. It also has the 5-star prodigy Husan Longstreet coming as a freshman. The head coach has even brought in Sam Huard from Washington, who probably will be the third-string QB in the offense. That leaves the QB situation to be battled out between Jayden and Husan Longstreet. Mind you, Longstreet’s ability can’t be underestimated even as a freshman. So, there’s still some uncertainty regarding that QB1 spot, but it needs to be sorted out fast.
Marc Kulkin, the host of ‘Locked on USC,’ echoed some similar concerns that the QB room will face this season. “Riley needs to get that quarterback situation settled down. We know Jayden Maiava is going to be QB1 at the beginning of the year. He’s earned it. He deserves it. He was the better of the two quarterbacks. Not saying who threw the most interceptions, but I guess if you had to pick one who had a better day, most would say give it to the incumbent.”
If Husan Longstreet’s high school career is taken into account, the guy is a full-fledged monster. As a Junior, the QB passed for 3,013 yards and 24 TDs and comes with an ability to put balls on a tightrope. The QB is a master of RPO schemes and will provide that added edge in Riley’s offense. The question remains: who will ultimately be the QB1? Husan Longstreet is a raw talent waiting to be unpacked. Jayden ob the other hand, is proven, still has questions after the issues last season.
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