Jayden Maiava Drops Stirring 4-Word Prediction for USC Offense

Jayden Maiava Drops Stirring 4-Word Prediction for USC Offense originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The USC Trojans will want more confidence and explosion at the quarterback position. Jayden Maiava joins his head coach Lincoln Riley in sitting on the hot seat this fall.

But the returning quarterback appeared calm and confident while addressing the media Monday on the USC campus.

Maiava now assumes the QB1 reins. He beat out former five-star Miller Moss for the top of the QB ladder. Moss since relocated to Louisville -- handing Maiava the keys to the offense moving forward. He responded by flinging 11 touchdowns with six interceptions.

Maiava still faces his critics. Especially after becoming turnover prone in limited game action. But he delivered this stirring four-word promise to USC fans once he got asked what they'll expect from the offense.

"A lot of touchdowns," Maiava said via Connor Morrissette of 247Sports.

USC delivered 29 passing touchdowns, then 20 rushing. But that means the Trojans only averaged 3.76 TDs per game.

Maiava won't have Woody Marks in the backfield -- who scored nine rushing touchdowns. But the QB will have Ja'Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon to throw to. Both are garnering NFL attention ahead of the 2026 draft.

Maiava attacked the spring practice sessions with the focus of wanting starting QB. He's also shown one other strong approach.

"I'm trying to build a relationship with this team," he mentioned. "Build them closer and attack each and every day with the same mindset and having that neutral mindset -- attacking everything."

USC managed to finish second in the Big Ten for total offense. All despite the underachieving 7-6 campaign. But Maiava is promising more trips to the end zone in 2025.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.