When he was first introduced as USC’s beginning quarterback final November, Jayden Maiava stepped into a fairly thorny scenario. The staff already had rallied behind Miller Moss, who spent the earlier three seasons incomes teammates’ belief. Plus, he’d have only some video games to show himself, and USC desperately wanted instant outcomes.
“That’s a hard thing for anyone to do,” mentioned wideout Ja’Kobi Lane, a detailed pal of Moss.
These 4 begins, as uneven as they generally have been, proved sufficient for Maiava to retain the title because the Trojans’ presumptive quarterback this spring, at the same time as USC added five-star freshman Husan Longstreet and skilled switch Sam Huard to the fold. However what’s occurred within the three months since finally could say extra about the place Maiava is headed as a quarterback — and whether or not he’ll hold the job for good this season.
Maiava’s second act began in January with hypothesis that he was entertaining the concept of coming into the switch portal. However he dismissed that notion Tuesday.
“Shoot, the transfer portal is crazy nowadays,” Maiava mentioned. “I usually just don’t pay any mind or attention to it. I just kind of go about my business and stay out the way.”
For Maiava, that meant spending as a lot time within the movie room as attainable. “Countless hours,” the quarterback mentioned.
It was on movie that he may see how typically he received “happy feet” within the pocket throughout his first season at USC. He labored to pinpoint the explanations for head-scratching errors that appeared to comply with him each week. Particularly the back-breaking interceptions, three of which he threw within the bowl sport. He was, as Lincoln Riley mentioned Monday, “his own toughest critic.”
Although the coach was fast to level out that self-criticism was helpful solely to a degree with Maiava.
USC coach Lincoln Riley talks with Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava throughout a sport in opposition to Nebraska on the Coliseum on Nov. 16.
(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Instances)
“He’s a guy who sometimes he can almost overdo it,” Riley mentioned. “He naturally has that ability to really be critical of himself, to really put everything he can into the areas he doesn’t. You’re never going to see him like, ‘Oh, I’m so good at this, I’m going to take it for granted and not put work into it.’ Like he’s the complete opposite of that. Which is great. He’s a driven worker and he wants to play a lot better for us than he did last year. And he played pretty darn good. So that’s a pretty good sign.”
Maiava nonetheless should compete via preseason camp, Riley clarified, if solely as a result of “there always has to be a competition.”
“Now does Jayden come in a step ahead in experience and all that of the other guys in the room? Of course he does,” Riley mentioned Monday in the course of the “Trojans Live” radio present. “But the best guy is going to play, and that’s, to me, No. 1 and that should always be the case.”
Longstreet often is the almost certainly to push Maiava, given his pedigree popping out of Corona Centennial Excessive. He additionally spent as a lot time as he may at USC’s bowl practices, soaking all of it in.
That additional work and time has paid off.
“He’s way further ahead than most guys would be at this age,” Riley mentioned. “His ability to communicate and manage the group right now as a young guy is pretty impressive.”
The place which will come naturally to Longstreet, it’s been an adjustment for Maiava since getting into the beginning position. However teammates and coaches have seen a serious distinction since final season.
“You certainly see him just more confident, more assertive as a leader and a player now,” Riley mentioned. “That’s what we need him to be.”
Whether or not that’s sufficient to maintain the job as USC’s quarterback, solely time will inform.
5-star freshman’s first impression
As Jahkeem Stewart made his approach up the tunnel Tuesday for his first spring apply at USC, it was laborious to not marvel on the hulking, 17-year previous defensive finish.
At 6 toes 6 and 290 kilos, Stewart ought to “no doubt” have a chance to contribute this season, Riley mentioned. The query is how rapidly he’ll be capable to choose up USC’s protection.
“He’s in the facility darn near all day now,” Riley mentioned. “He’s got the talent to [make an impact], and now it’s just going to be putting in the work and building him up to be a consistent enough player to trust to put him out there on Saturday.”
And many others.
Defensive finish Anthony Lucas is predicted to overlook most of spring as he continues to get well from a decrease leg damage that price him the second half of final season.
