USC announced quarterback Jayden Maiava is entering the 2026 NFL Draft after a breakout season that has him leading the Big Ten in multiple passing categories.
College football’s quarterback uncertainty creates opportunities for late-season risers. For every passer dropping down draft boards, there’s an overlooked prospect ready to climb into first-round consideration.
Maiava was largely ignored entering his second season with the Trojans. He was written off as a 2027 prospect.
All he’s done since is lead the Big Ten in passing yards, yards per attempt, yards per completion, and expected points added.
Maiava is producing like a Heisman candidate. In a year where returning prospects struggled, his performance might push him into this class and potentially into Round 1.
Maiava’s strengths fit the modern NFL game
Maiava hasn’t been one of the country’s most productive passers by accident. He has avoided turnovers well this season. His turnover-worthy play rate has decreased each year.
In an air-raid-adjacent offense, he’s good at finding completions, avoiding sacks, and challenging defenders downfield.
The flashes are frequent. His ability to create explosive plays in tight windows is enticing. At his best, he’s operating with excellent touch and layering passes. He changes his velocity with more nuance than many of his peers.
Maiava is only a junior, but over 800 pass attempts is experience that helps with early production at the next level.
Maiava does an excellent job of handling pressure. His feel for blindside rushers is impressive. He is dense and athletic enough to break sacks.
While not a direct comparison, there is some Caleb Williams in his game, particularly when under pressure.
There are Caleb Williamses everywhere for those with the eyes to see pic.twitter.com/jdIHW7zdIs
— Anthony Licciardi (@ALiccScouting) November 20, 2025
Maiava’s pressure-to-sack rate is elite. When forced out of structure, he does a good job of keeping his eyes downfield.
This is amplified by the best part of Maiava’s mechanics: a lightning-quick release. He has an ability to reset his base under pressure to deliver an accurate ball.
Theoretically, this is a quarterback who can keep the offense on schedule and make plays out of structure. He adds a bit to the run game with his contact balance and ability to scramble.
What’s keeping Maiava out of Round 1?
For all the similarities to his predecessor, Maiava doesn’t have the same tools. He isn’t quite as athletic, limiting his upside as a scrambler.
His short-area velocity is fine, but Williams’ arm strength created windows other passers can’t dream of testing. Maiava, despite his downfield flashes, isn’t as potent.
This manifests itself mechanically, where Maiava’s lower half falls behind the efficiency of his release. He frequently struggles to transfer weight effectively. Average arm strength leaves him exposed.
Subsequently, there’s a limit to his deep ball, with an observable decline after 40 yards. Maiava doesn’t always give himself a proper base within the pocket. He isn’t overly dangerous out of structure.
He’ll likely struggle throwing to his left at the next level. At times he overstrides to get as much velocity as possible on far-hash throws. He visibly strains harder on some of these attempts.
His development will also require improved under-center footwork. That’s a common hurdle for many of these shotgun-bound prospects. Limited experience here and some unconventional dropbacks are concerning.
Maiava is a safe decision-maker who is willing to test man coverage aggressively. Still, getting through full-field progressions quickly can be elusive. He isn’t a very anticipatory thrower.
Maiava’s NFL projection
There’s a world in which Maiava is a rookie starter who plays well in Year 1. The underlying fundamentals are strong. He avoids sacks and turnovers, creates big plays, and gets rid of the ball quickly within structure.
The tools are passable without being elite. There’s a chance his poise is the kind trait that defines him, much like Lamar Jackson’s in-pocket athleticism, Joe Burrow’s pocket navigation, and Dak Prescott’s pre-snap processing.
Despite his limitations, Maiava has multiple years of experience, checks the production boxes, and has improved year-over-year. That might be enough to win a team over.
Maiava currently has a second-round grade, projecting like a below-average starter with above-average upside. His creativity and sack avoidance can buy him time in the NFL. His proficiency as a quick game passer elevates his floor.
This is a fun prospect who should get Sunday opportunities. He’s just not a player teams should bet on in Round 1.
Even so, Maiava should punch his ticket to the 2026 NFL Draft. It will be difficult to improve upon his production next season. There is enough uncertainty in this class that the right fit could make him a first-round pick.
After watching Garrett Nussmeier, Drew Allar, and Cade Klubnik fumble that status in 2025, Maiava is poised to be the beneficiary in a questionable quarterback class.
