After an up-and-down season for Miller Moss at QB with the USC Trojans last year, the keys were handed over to Jayden Maiava for the final four games. He went 3-1 in those games and led the Trojans to a Las Vegas Bowl victory.
Even with a very promising end to the season, the question remained, would Maiava be the USC starting QB in 2025?
5-star quarterback Husan Longstreet signed with the Trojans and just enrolled in the spring. While he will be a true freshman, there is a ton of excitement surrounding his potential, and his talent is off the charts.
Lincoln Riley also added former 5-star quarterback Sam Huard in the transfer portal.
So do the Trojans have their starter penciled in, or will there be a true quarterback competition for the second straight year?
Lincoln Riley Gives Update On USC Trojans QB Competition
On Monday afternoon, Lincoln Riley was on an episode of Trojans Live. Former USC QB Cody Kessler asked Coach Riley about the QB room and what he looks for in a QB competition.
“The competition piece, you know, is make sure you always have it,” Riley said. “No matter who comes back, there always has to be competition. And there will be a competition this spring, no question.”
“Now does Jayden come in a step ahead in experience and all that? Of course, he does. But the best guy is gonna play,” Riley continues.
Longstreet has yet to take a collegiate snap, and Huard is at his 4th program and has dealt with unfortunate injuries, so it is Maiava’s job to lose.
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He could certainly pull away from the pack quickly in the spring, but this thing could linger into the fall, similarly to how it did last year when Miller Moss was ultimately named the starter over Maiava.
Maiva has a ton of arm talent and has the physical traits and athletic ability that thrive in Riley’s system. However, there were too many game-breaking negative plays in his four starts last.
If he eliminates those, he should have no problem continuing as QB1 when the USC Trojans open the season. But if those mistakes persist, don’t be shocked if Riley looks to someone else in the room.