There’s going to be a ton of pressure on USC starting quarterback Jayden Maiava to perform this season, because another 7-6 year is just not going to get it done. Heck, for as much as head coach Lincoln Riley has done in his college head coaching career, he may not make it through another 7-6 season.
That means everything USC does will be under a microscope, and as the de facto leader of the team as the quarterback, Maiava is going to be in the spotlight.
The good news for USC is that Maiava is coming into this season with the right attitude. He knows the standards of USC football and what it takes to uphold those standards.
“I think the biggest thing for this team is just to stay neutral,” Maiava explained of the team’s mentality heading into fall camp (h/t On3). “We go by this still ain’t s— mindset. So, I think just taking every day one day at a time, and no matter how much you think you put in, it’s never enough.”
Not only does Maiava have the right mindset, but Riley and the Trojans have to feel good about his ability to back it up. A former four-star recruit, Maiava took over for Miller Moss in the middle of November and went 3-1 as USC’s starting quarterback. That included a win over Texas A&M in the Las Vegas Bowl.
It was a nice way to end the season for Maiava and the Trojans, but the Las Vegas Bowl is far from the destination they come into this 2025 season shooting for, and it’s far from the standard.
What’s USC’s goal this season, per Maiava?
“National championship,” he said. “I feel like that’s what everybody on this team would answer with that question. Obviously, one day at a time. Staying disciplined about it, but it’s obviously something that is a part of our goal.”
