A few weeks ago, USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley said that having a quarterback competition every year is healthy for a program.
While there is usually a sense of who will be the starter, especially if the starter from the previous year is returning, you always want to instill an “iron sharpens iron” mentality.
USC Trojans Quarterback Jayden Maiava is the perceived starter. He finished last season 3-1 and demonstrated the ability to run the offense. He needs to improve in some areas, but it feels like his job to lose.
Former 5-star QB Sam Huard joined the team through the winter transfer portal, and true freshman 5-star Husan Longstreet is seen as the future of the program.
Can Longstreet or Huard push Maiava for the starting role? For now, head coach Lincoln Riley squashed that notion.
USC Trojans QB Jayden Maiava “Clearly The No. 1 Quarterback”
In speaking with the media this week, Lincoln Riley was asked about Longstreet and if he was a viable option as QB1.
“He’s getting better. He does some great things, he still makes some freshman mistakes from time to time. He’s just growing and learning. Jayden’s clearly the number one quarterback right now, which is not surprising at all…I feel like we have 3 guys that we can go win with.”
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To follow up, Riley was asked where Jayden [Maiava] has made the biggest steps in his development.
“I think decision-making, especially in the last 5-6 practices, he’s really been strong. Throwing the ball well, which he’s kind of always done, but I think just understanding what we’re trying to accomplish offensively, not just his role in it…He’s been really good in the situational drives and moments that we’ve put him in.”
It was easy to see the talent that Maiava possesses last year, but his one knock was his decision-making. Many times, he was a bit too reckless with the football, which led to game-changing turnovers. If he can improve that department, the USC Trojans offense should be in a really good spot heading into the season.