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USC Quarterback Jayden Maiava Named Semifinalist for Davey O’Brien Award
November 12, 2025 | Football
LOS ANGELES—USC quarterback Jayden Maiava has been named a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award, today (Nov. 12).
The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award.
Twenty players were named semifinalists for the honor.
Maiava thrives in USC head coach Lincoln Riley's electric offense as USC is No. 2 in the nation (and No. 1 in the Big Ten) in total offense (503.2). The Trojans also lead the Big Ten in passing offense (303.0) and passing yards per completion (14.20).
USC is the only team in the nation averaging 300+ passing yards per game and 200+ rushing yards per game. USC has not produced these numbers since 2005. In fact, no FBS team has produced these numbers since LSU in 2023, and no Big Ten team has since Indiana in 2013.
Maiava is No. 2 in the nation with a 90.6 QBR. Additionally, he is third in the nation in yards per pass attempt (9.72) and fourth in the nation (and first in the Big Ten) in passing yards per completion (14.69). Maiava also leads the Big Ten in passing yards per game (290.4).
Great throws beat great coverages, and Maiava's precision and athleticism display just that. His accuracy is showcased through his excellent ball placement and timing in his high-value and high-difficulty passes as he is fifth in the nation with 19 big time throws, per PFF.
In USC's most recent 38-17 victory over Northwestern on Friday (Nov. 7), Maiava went 24-of-33 (.727) for 299 yards and 2 TDs. He recorded a 93.0 QBR. He also rushed for 10 yards on 4 carries and 1 TD.
The game marked the third time this season Maiava has had a rushing and passing TD in the same game.
At the end of the second quarter, Maiava was picked off by Northwestern DL Najee Story, Maiava didn't hesitate, took off after Story and launched his body into Story's 6-4, 300-pound frame to force a fumble on the USC 1-yard line to prevent a Wildcat TD as the ball bounced through the end zone, and the play resulted in a touchback.
Maiava's tackle and never-give-up attitude completely changed the momentum of the game. He is the only quarterback in the FBS to record a forced fumble this season.
Maiava has 17 TDs so far in 2025, matching his single-season career high from his 2023 UNLV season.
The finalists will be chosen based on voting from the Davey O'Brien National Selection Committee as well as bonus ballots awarded from the second round of the Davey O'Brien Fan Vote.
For the sixth straight year, fan voting on social media (Facebook, Instagram and X) will earn players bonus selection committee votes. Second-round fan voting will begin immediately following the semifinalist announcement. To vote, fans must like the official graphic from the @daveyobrien social media account that highlights their favorite quarterback. The second round will close Friday, Nov. 21, at 11:59 p.m. CT.
The Davey O'Brien Foundation will announce the three finalists Tuesday, Nov. 25. The 2025 Davey O'Brien Award winner will be unveiled live on ESPN on Friday, Dec. 12, during The Home Depot College Football Awards.
The 49th Annual Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner honoring the winner will be held Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award.
Twenty players were named semifinalists for the honor.
Maiava thrives in USC head coach Lincoln Riley's electric offense as USC is No. 2 in the nation (and No. 1 in the Big Ten) in total offense (503.2). The Trojans also lead the Big Ten in passing offense (303.0) and passing yards per completion (14.20).
USC is the only team in the nation averaging 300+ passing yards per game and 200+ rushing yards per game. USC has not produced these numbers since 2005. In fact, no FBS team has produced these numbers since LSU in 2023, and no Big Ten team has since Indiana in 2013.
Maiava is No. 2 in the nation with a 90.6 QBR. Additionally, he is third in the nation in yards per pass attempt (9.72) and fourth in the nation (and first in the Big Ten) in passing yards per completion (14.69). Maiava also leads the Big Ten in passing yards per game (290.4).
Great throws beat great coverages, and Maiava's precision and athleticism display just that. His accuracy is showcased through his excellent ball placement and timing in his high-value and high-difficulty passes as he is fifth in the nation with 19 big time throws, per PFF.
In USC's most recent 38-17 victory over Northwestern on Friday (Nov. 7), Maiava went 24-of-33 (.727) for 299 yards and 2 TDs. He recorded a 93.0 QBR. He also rushed for 10 yards on 4 carries and 1 TD.
The game marked the third time this season Maiava has had a rushing and passing TD in the same game.
At the end of the second quarter, Maiava was picked off by Northwestern DL Najee Story, Maiava didn't hesitate, took off after Story and launched his body into Story's 6-4, 300-pound frame to force a fumble on the USC 1-yard line to prevent a Wildcat TD as the ball bounced through the end zone, and the play resulted in a touchback.
Maiava's tackle and never-give-up attitude completely changed the momentum of the game. He is the only quarterback in the FBS to record a forced fumble this season.
Maiava has 17 TDs so far in 2025, matching his single-season career high from his 2023 UNLV season.
The finalists will be chosen based on voting from the Davey O'Brien National Selection Committee as well as bonus ballots awarded from the second round of the Davey O'Brien Fan Vote.
For the sixth straight year, fan voting on social media (Facebook, Instagram and X) will earn players bonus selection committee votes. Second-round fan voting will begin immediately following the semifinalist announcement. To vote, fans must like the official graphic from the @daveyobrien social media account that highlights their favorite quarterback. The second round will close Friday, Nov. 21, at 11:59 p.m. CT.
The Davey O'Brien Foundation will announce the three finalists Tuesday, Nov. 25. The 2025 Davey O'Brien Award winner will be unveiled live on ESPN on Friday, Dec. 12, during The Home Depot College Football Awards.
The 49th Annual Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner honoring the winner will be held Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.
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