LOS ANGELES—- It was a bit quiet on the campus of the University of Southern California as the USC Trojans prepared for their December 30 Alamo Bowl matchup against TCU.
LOS ANGELES—- It was a bit quiet on the campus of the University of Southern California as the USC Trojans prepared for their December 30 Alamo Bowl matchup against TCU.
With fall semester over and few students on campus, the players got the chance to focus only on football at Howard Jones Field Friday, a welcome sight on a pristine and sunny winter afternoon in Los Angeles.
For starting quarterback Jayden Maiava, this won’t be the junior’s last rodeo in Troy. After speculation about his future, Maiava re-signed with USC this week, returning for his senior year in 2026. But until then, his mind is focused only on TCU.
“I’m just focused on one day at a time,” Maiava told reporters after practice Friday, “keeping level-headed, and keeping my focus on where it needs to be.”
While he added that his teammates and the overall coaching staff were a factor in him deciding to return to the program, his main answer was simple: “Coach Riley.”
Known as a “quarterback whisperer”, Lincoln Riley, wrapping up his fourth year as USC’s head coach, has mentored three Heisman Trophy-winning QBs: Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and of course Caleb Williams, whose jersey now hangs on the peristyle of Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Though his tenure at USC involved the program’s controversial move to the Big Ten, the explosion of the transfer portal, and other challenges amidst the changing landscape of college football, the program is trending in a positive direction.
With Maiava under center, the Trojans finished 9-3 and went undefeated at home. They also snagged #1 ranked recruiting class in the Class of 2026.
However, tough road losses to arch rival Notre Dame and playoff-bound Oregon kept the Trojans out of the College Football Playoff. The program has yet to play in the illustrious tournament as classic postseason matchups like the Alamo Bowl wane in relevance.
With the transfer portal open, some players preparing for the NFL, and coaches taking new jobs, some programs are deciding not to play postseason football at all if it means not playing for the national championship.
Notre Dame, Iowa State, Kansas State, Auburn, and Florida State are just a few of the programs that turned down invitations for the postseason this year. But for Maiava, games like this still matter, a testament that some guys just love the opportunity to compete.
“I’m not going to speak on behalf of what other teams have got going on,” Maiava told The Sporting Tribune, “but you know, [the Alamo Bowl] is just another phenomenal opportunity for this team and this program to just go out there to showcase all the hard work that we’ve put in, as well as the other guys that are stepping up to the plate and haven’t gotten the opportunity before, but got it now. So we’re happy for that, and we can’t wait for the 30th.”
Maiava stepped into the spotlight after taking over for Miller Moss last year and got his first postseason action in the 2024 Las Vegas Bowl against Texas A&M. Maiava and the Trojans were down 24-7 in the third quarter, but bounced back for a thrilling 35-31 comeback victory. Maiava finished 22-39 with four passing touchdowns and three interceptions.
He will have to do it this year, however, without star wide receivers Ja’Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon, who are both skipping the bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft. Last Friday, Lemon won the Biletnikoff Award, given to the best wide receiver in college football.
“Super happy for him,” Maiava said. “I’m not going to reenact my reaction, but it was awesome. Everybody was there in the lobby at [John McKay Center], super happy for him. Well deserved. If you guys know Lem’, it was well deserved.”
Amidst the upcoming challenge, and the season that lies ahead for Maiava heading into his senior year, it’s not difficult to see why the Big Ten’s leader in passing yards this season would decide to come back.
Under the setting Southern California sun, the former UNLV transfer from Hawaii lifted his head and opined about the ease of practice now that classes are finished. “So relaxing,” he said. “especially in L.A....beautiful weather, beautiful people just to be around every single day…super relaxing.”
Category: General Sports
