The USC Trojans football team is making a change under center as head coach Lincoln Riley has announced that UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava will start at quarterback against Nebraska next week, replacing incumbent starter Miller Moss.
The move comes as the Trojans find themselves in the midst of a disappointing 4-5 season, having lost four of their last five games. While Moss has shown flashes of promise, his costly turnovers have become a growing concern for the USC coaching staff.
Maiava’s Time To Shine
Maiava, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound signal-caller, joined the Trojans in the offseason after a standout redshirt freshman campaign at UNLV. He won his first four starts for the Rebels last season, leading the team to the Mountain West Conference championship game and earning Freshman Player of the Year honors.
“I just love competing,” Maiava said in the spring. I enjoy representing my team and bringing out their best. I simply aim to contribute to the team’s victory. Maiava’s mobility and playmaking ability have seemingly swayed Riley, who acknowledged that the quarterback competition between Moss and Maiava was “neck and neck” leading into the season.
Seeking A Spark
The decision to start Maiava represents a shift in strategy for the Trojans, who have relied on Moss’s experience and passing prowess for the majority of the campaign. “For us right now, what we’re looking at is the best lineup, the best people to help us win each and every week, and we’re going to keep our focus there,” Riley said after the team’s most recent loss to Washington.
Clearly, the coaching staff believes Maiava’s dual-threat capabilities can provide the spark the offense needs to turn the season around. “Maiava is more mobile than Moss, which is likely another factor behind the quarterback change,” the 247Sports report noted. “He had 73 carries at UNLV last season for 277 yards and three touchdowns, and he has shown his ability to run in limited action this year.”
Maiava’s Opportunity
This change in the depth chart represents a significant opportunity for Maiava, who has patiently waited for his chance to showcase his talents on the big stage. “Since losing the starting quarterback battle in fall camp, Maiava continued to compete, which opened the door for him to take a jump up the depth chart,” the report stated. With Moss struggling to protect the ball, Maiava will now have the chance to prove himself as the Trojans’ long-term solution at quarterback.
Implications For The Future
The decision to start Maiava could have far-reaching implications for USC’s QB situation beyond the current season. As Moss weighs his options for 2024, the coaching staff will be closely evaluating Maiava’s performance to determine their plans for the position.
Moreover, the move could impact the recruitment of five-star QB commit Julian Lewis, who is slated to join the Trojans next year. Seeing Maiava’s abilities in the game action may help the coaching staff determine the best path forward for the quarterback room.
A Chance To Turn The Season Around
With the Trojans fighting to become bowl-eligible, the QB change represents a last-ditch effort to salvage the campaign. Maiava’s ability to provide a spark both through the air and on the ground could be the X-factor the team needs to get back on track.
“He’ll look to build on those statistics next Saturday against Nebraska,” the report concluded, as USC fans eagerly await the debut of their new starting quarterback. This move by Lincoln Riley and the Trojans coaching staff signals a shift in philosophy and a willingness to try something new in the pursuit of success. For Jayden Maiava, it’s an opportunity he’s been waiting for—and one he’ll look to seize with both hands.
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