Sep 27, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) scrambles with the ball during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Jayden Maiava QB USC |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #14 PLAY STYLE: Pocket Passer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/16/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.75 seconds (67%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 23.5 DOB: 04/06/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #14 | |
| PLAY STYLE: Pocket Passer | |
| Last Updated: 09/16/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.75 seconds (67%*) | |
| Age: 23.5 DOB: 04/06/2003 | |
| Overall Rating: |
85.8 / 100
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|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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76% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Release Speed: |
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82% |
| Short Passing: |
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78% |
| Medium Passing: |
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80% |
| Long Passing: |
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91% |
| Rush/Scramble: |
|
65% |
|
DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#76
Position rank:
#10 (QB)
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| College Games: 36 College Snaps: 2249 | ||
ESPN RATING: 79/100
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247 RATING: 85/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.5 (90%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Will Howard - Ohio State |
|
90% |
| Will Levis - Kentucky |
|
84% |
| Drew Allar - Penn State |
|
74% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Jayden Maiava's path to USC ran through four high schools across Nevada and Hawaii, including a 3,317-yard, 41-touchdown junior season at Kaimuki and a senior year at Las Vegas Liberty. A three-star recruit, he landed at UNLV, where he won 2023 Mountain West Freshman of the Year honors with 3,085 passing yards and 17 touchdowns.Maiava transferred to USC after initially committing to Georgia and replaced Miller Moss for the final four regular-season games plus the Las Vegas Bowl in 2024, throwing for 1,201 yards with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Handed the full-time job in 2025, Maiava led the Big Ten in regular-season passing yards with 3,431 and finished the year with 3,711 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while adding six rushing scores as USC went 9-4. He threw for 412 yards and four touchdowns against Georgia Southern and passed for 280 yards in an overtime Alamo Bowl loss to TCU, then announced his return to USC for 2026.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Quick release that beats the rush to the throw and keeps him clean
- Deep-ball touch is a separator; he drops buckets 40 yards downfield
- Led the Big Ten in passing yards in his first full year as a starter
- Sturdy frame that shrugs off contact and finishes throws through hits
- Carved Michigan for three scores on 20 of 26, a clean signature game
- Efficient against Missouri, 15 of 18 for 295 yards and two scores
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Plays a high-risk style; 21 turnover-worthy throws shadow the production
- Footwork gets sloppy when the pocket collapses, pulling throws off target
- Locks onto the first read too long, letting safeties jump pattern-match looks
- Bottomed out against Nebraska, nine of 25 in his worst outing
Scouting Report: Summary
Maiava is an aggressive thrower with a starter-caliber arm, a quick release that beats the rush and deep-ball touch that drops buckets 40 yards downfield, and he is tough in the pocket and buys time to make plays when the structure breaks. However, the same aggression puts the ball in harm's way, ten interceptions last year, his footwork gets sloppy when the pocket collapses, and he locks onto the first read too long, letting safeties jump the throw.Overall, Maiava is an aggressive competitor whose arm can swing a game either way, and the arm talent and extensive starting experience are foundational traits, but the giveaways have to come down. He projects as a high-level backup and spot starter, with room to climb if he trims the turnovers against the best defenses.
How other scouting services rate Jayden Maiava (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
51.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
9.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.