ESPN analyst believes Jayden Maiava's best strength is his deep ball
· Yahoo Sports
Jayden Maiava did not get due credit for the season he had as a first-year starter. The talent is there, but more than that, one big underrated trait for Maiava is his confidence in throwing deep. Last season, he had weapons that gave him great trust in his game. This season with his new roster, he will have to sustain that same confidence to keep the train rolling.
In a recent article, analyst Jordan Reid broke down what makes Maiava special. Here is what he had to say on Maiava's strengths:
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"Maiava completed his first full year as a starter in 2025 with 3,711 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He is a composed passer who is a perfect fit in Lincoln Riley's adaptable scheme. His best moments come when stretching defenses vertically, as he consistently throws with excellent touch. His 37 completions on passes of 20 or more air yards led the FBS; he excels when able to layer throws downfield. Maiava is also a quick decision-maker who gets the ball out of his hand with confidence."
The USC Trojans' offense last season was an explosive offense, mostly because of Jayden Maiava. He knew exactly how to get the ball out to his best playmakers, and he did not shy away from giving them every opportunity to make plays. This season, for the Trojans' offense to have the same success, he needs to remain the gunslinger he is and continue taking shots downfield. That is when he and the Trojans' offense are at its best.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Jayden Maiava's deep ball remains underrated for USC offense