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Entering the college football season, University of Southern California quarterback Jayden Maiava was not on anybody's radar for the NFL Draft. But now, five games into the season, Maiava has led USC to a 4-1 record, largely on the strength of the offense that he commands, an attack that epitomizes a "pass first" approach.
Maiava enters week six as the nation's fourth rated passer (191.1), while ranking second in yards (1,587), fourth in yards-per-attempt (11.4) tied for ninth in TD passes (11) and 19th in completion percentage (70%). He's obviously not in the same class as Fernando Mendoza, LaNorris Sellers or Garrett Nussmeier right now, but he is rising up the draft boards.
Carson Palmer is a former NFL quarterback who was drafted very high out of USC, with the Cincinnati Bengals taking him first overall in 2003. Palmer, who went on to make three Pro Bowls over his 14 year NFL career, has taken notice of Maiava's development this season.
“He’s been unbelievable,” Palmer said in an exclusive with RG.org. "I know they had their biggest test this weekend. But he’s a great player. He’s shown he can make all the throws. He’s surrounded by talent and that helps when you’re a youngster without 20 to 30 starts under your belt.
"When you have the offensive line, defensive line, receivers and multiple backs that he has, he’s surrounded by the right guys.”
It took until week five, a 34-32 loss at #23 Illinois, for Maiava to throw an interception. The man who picked him off was Illinois linebacker Dylan Rosiek, and it was actually the first int of the Illini LB's career.
"It got a little air-y in there," Rosiek said in the postgame news conference. "It looked like they were running an RPO, so I was in a half-drop, half above the run, and then I just saw the ball and put my hands on it."
Still, an 11-1 TD ratio is very much elite, and the Honolulu native is now a top ten prospect at the QB position, according to FOX Sports draft analyst Rob Rang. The Hawaiian signal caller is a late round prospect, according to Rang, who slots him just one spot behind Arch Manning, yes, the Arch Manning.
At 6-4, 225, Maiava has ideal size for a NFL QB1. He's also got arm talent for days, as there simply isn't a throw that is too much for him to make.
Additionally, his decision-making, maturity, reliability and consistency are all at an elite level right now. Given how there are numerous question marks surrounding many of the top QB prospects in the upcoming class, the opportunity is there for Maiava to continue climbing up the rankings.
More: Mock draft update: Projecting the 2026 first round after NFL Week 4
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava brings a lot to the table
Continue reading...
Maiava enters week six as the nation's fourth rated passer (191.1), while ranking second in yards (1,587), fourth in yards-per-attempt (11.4) tied for ninth in TD passes (11) and 19th in completion percentage (70%). He's obviously not in the same class as Fernando Mendoza, LaNorris Sellers or Garrett Nussmeier right now, but he is rising up the draft boards.
Carson Palmer is a former NFL quarterback who was drafted very high out of USC, with the Cincinnati Bengals taking him first overall in 2003. Palmer, who went on to make three Pro Bowls over his 14 year NFL career, has taken notice of Maiava's development this season.
“He’s been unbelievable,” Palmer said in an exclusive with RG.org. "I know they had their biggest test this weekend. But he’s a great player. He’s shown he can make all the throws. He’s surrounded by talent and that helps when you’re a youngster without 20 to 30 starts under your belt.
"When you have the offensive line, defensive line, receivers and multiple backs that he has, he’s surrounded by the right guys.”
It took until week five, a 34-32 loss at #23 Illinois, for Maiava to throw an interception. The man who picked him off was Illinois linebacker Dylan Rosiek, and it was actually the first int of the Illini LB's career.
"It got a little air-y in there," Rosiek said in the postgame news conference. "It looked like they were running an RPO, so I was in a half-drop, half above the run, and then I just saw the ball and put my hands on it."
Still, an 11-1 TD ratio is very much elite, and the Honolulu native is now a top ten prospect at the QB position, according to FOX Sports draft analyst Rob Rang. The Hawaiian signal caller is a late round prospect, according to Rang, who slots him just one spot behind Arch Manning, yes, the Arch Manning.
At 6-4, 225, Maiava has ideal size for a NFL QB1. He's also got arm talent for days, as there simply isn't a throw that is too much for him to make.
Additionally, his decision-making, maturity, reliability and consistency are all at an elite level right now. Given how there are numerous question marks surrounding many of the top QB prospects in the upcoming class, the opportunity is there for Maiava to continue climbing up the rankings.
More: Mock draft update: Projecting the 2026 first round after NFL Week 4
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava brings a lot to the table
Continue reading...
