USC quarterback Jayden Maiava is fully in the spotlight this season and is taking ownership of the offense. But if you ask him, he still hasn’t reached his potential as a leader.
“Honestly, I haven’t felt that yet,” Maiava told reporters Tuesday. “I still prepare. I haven’t done close enough to feel that. Every day, I’ve just got to keep growing, and just still be curious to learn whatever I can learn.”
The redshirt junior has been reading, meditating and watching film any time he can. It’s self-scouting at another level, which the Trojans are hoping will create strong decision-making abilities to match his athleticism.
Maiava will have support from a strong run game that could feature multiple running backs this season, although former junior college star Waymond Jordan will be the first to carry the ball Saturday. He’ll also have two reliable targets in wide receivers Ja’Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon as well as tight end Lake McRee.
The offensive line may be the deciding factor in the offense’s success this season. Former walk-on Kilian O’Connor was named the starting center Tuesday, giving the Trojans a hard-working player with a motivating journey to rally behind.
“I came here to be a player,” O’Connor told reporters. “I didn’t come here to hold a bag. I wanted to come here to contribute in any way I can. It’s just about staying ready, staying consistent.”
Here is how USC’s offense looks as Maiava begins his second season with the Trojans:
QUARTERBACK
The 6-foot-4 Maiava has the proven athleticism to materialize plays in unlikely situations. Strong decision-making has been an emphasis for the redshirt junior in the time that’s passed since he made his first start Nov. 16, 2024.
He completed 101 of 169 passes and 11 touchdowns in seven games last season – four of which he started – but averaged nearly an interception per game with six. He also rushed for 45 yards and four touchdowns.
Head coach Lincoln Riley and quarterbacks coach Luke Huard have refined his playing style in order to allow him to step into an offense that he already has familiarity with.
“When he became the starter, it was kind of fast and furious,” Riley said. “At the end, we and he got a chance to just kind of catch our breath a little bit and say, ‘All right, how did this go? Where can we get better? What do the next steps look like?’”
Riley has not named an official backup quarterback, but Husan Longstreet would be a logical choice. The 6-foot true freshman was a five-star recruit out of Centennial High in Corona and has a high ceiling as a dual-threat quarterback.
Sam Huard, the nephew of Luke Huard, is a third option at quarterback.
WIDE RECEIVER
The Trojans return both of their top receivers from last season in Lane and Lemon, who will also serve as the team’s primary punt returner.
Lane dealt with a foot injury during fall training camp, but Riley has confirmed that he is healthy and “full go” to start the season.
USC has built additional depth in its receiving corps and will likely rotate through receivers for the first few games.
“We know Lemon’s going to play a lot, we know Lane’s going to play a lot,” Riley told reporters Aug. 19. “Past that, we’ve got some really competitive battles in a few of the receiver positions right now.”
Sophomore Utah transfer Zacharyus Williams has the opportunity to become a mainstay in the offense after hauling in 10 passes for 101 yards last season. Jay Fair and Prince Strachan will also get chances to prove themselves.
RUNNING BACK
The run game could provide stability if the Trojans falter through the air, and the coaching staff will be able to take their pick from a variety of running backs. It’s a deep room with varying abilities.
“I’ll be disappointed if it’s not the best room that we’ve had since we’ve been at SC,” Riley said on Monday’s episode of “Trojans Live.”
Riley also confirmed that Jordan, an elusive runner who’s quick to find open spaces, will be the first running back to touch the ball in Saturday’s season opener against Missouri State.
Redshirt senior Eli Sanders and sophomore Bryan Jackson will also take repetitions throughout the season. True freshman Harry Dalton III and walk-on redshirt freshman King Miller could provide unexpected boosts in the run game.
TIGHT ENDS
McRee is the most experienced tight end on the roster and will likely see the most playing time. The redshirt senior finished the 2024 season with 245 yards and 24 catches, but no touchdowns in 10 games.
Sophomore Walker Lyons will be under his mentorship and has been one of the most improved players throughout fall training camp.
“Those two guys and really the entire depth is much improved,” Riley told reporters. “The biggest transformation for (Lyons) has been physically. He’s learning the system better and is becoming more detailed and all that, but the physical transformation is really drastic.”
OFFENSIVE LINE
The offensive line remains one of the most unsettled pieces of USC’s offense heading into the season.
O’Connor will start at center and will have support from Syracuse transfer J’Onre Reed, who can rotate in at the position, but the strongest piece of the line may be experienced left tackle Elijah Paige.
Coaches and players have stressed versatility as a defining characteristic of this season’s offensive line, especially since DJ Wingfield was ruled ineligible.
What’s left over is a group of largely untested players. Junior Alani Noa can play at right guard. Riley has said redshirt sophomore Tobias Raymond and redshirt freshman Justin Tauanuu have position flexibility and could start.
“It goes back to knowing the assignments,” Raymond said of the line’s versatility. “Football’s football. You’ve just gotta know the play from each position, and I think a lot of guys can transition between multiple spots.
Additional linemen like Micah Banuelos, Kaylon Miller – brother of King Miller – Hayden Treter and Elijah Vaikona can provide depth and rotate in to gain experience early.
