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USC's Jayden Maiava among PFF.com's Top 10 returning QBs

Chris Trevino USC Trojans footballby: Chris Trevino2 hours agoChrisNTrevino

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava was among Pro Football Focus’ Top 10 returning signal callers in the country for 2026. Maiava cracked the list at No. 6, third in the Big Ten. Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Oregon’s Dante Moore were the top two QBs on the list.

Maiava is entering his second full season at USC’s starter and third after starting the final four games in 2024.

The redshirt senior threw for 3,711 yards and 24 TDs with 10 INTs over 13 starts in a 9-4 season. He also rushed for 157 yards on 54 carries and six TDs. Maiava enters 2026 with 31 career starts.

Here is what Pro Football Focus had to say:

Maiava has posted back-to-back 80-plus PFF grades during his 1.5 years as USC’s starter. He was fifth in the FBS this year with 3,711 passing yards and was the only one in the top five to play in fewer than 14 games. Maiava is at his best from a clean pocket, earning the ninth-best PFF grade in the country in such situations (92.3). 

He has to rein in his gunslinger tendencies at times, though, as his big-time throw rate (6.2%) and turnover-worthy play rate (4.6%) were each among the 30 highest in the nation.

The Trojans can be in the mix for a College Football Playoff bid if Maiava makes another developmental jump.

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Positional Snubs?

Pro Football Focus also released the rest of their Top 10 returning players across offense from tight end, center, guard, offensive tackle, wide receiver and running back. But the Trojans did not land a single player on either list outside of Jayden Maiava.

That’s reasonable for just about every position group. USC doesn’t return an established player at tight end while linemen Kilian O’Connor, Tobias Raymond, Alani Noa and Elijah Paige are not national names. There was an argument for sophomore Tanook Hines, but he’s one season away being a national name.

Running back was the only unit where the Trojans had a chance with Waymond Jordan Jr. and 2025 breakout King Miller. Jordan Jr. is capable of being in that group, but an ankle injury cut his season off at six games.

Miller was the best shot outside of Maiava with 972 yards over 13 games and seven starts to close out the season. He finished with an 80.0 overall Pro Football Focus grade, 101st in FBS and 16th in the Big Ten. Miller is poised for a 1,000-yard campaign with five returning starters at OL.

Regardless of Top 10 lists, the Trojans will return one of the best backfields in the country with Miller, Jordan and Maiava commanding the offense.

USC opens the season in Week 0 against San Jose State on Aug. 29th in the L.A. Coliseum.

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz