University Southern California Trojans
November 10, 2026 | Football
LOS ANGELES—USC quarterback Jayden Maiava has been selected to the Davey O'Brien Class of 2026. The group includes 30 players from across the nation who are now officially in contention for the 2026 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award.
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.
Maiava leads the Big Ten in completions per game (22.0), passing touchdowns (20) and passing yards (2,524). He has accounted for 22 touchdowns through 9 games, throwing 20 and rushing for 2 with just 5 interceptions.
Maiava's opening nine-game stretch compares favorably with the greatest quarterbacks in USC history. Through nine games, Maiava's 66.9 completion percentage is the best among the group, while his 20 passing TDs are 8 fewer than Williams, 2 fewer than Palmer and the same number Leinart recorded during their respective nine-game starts.
Maiava makes his throws count. He is tied for second among USC career leaders in yards per attempt with 8.6 (min. 500 attempts at USC). He's in good company in the stat – Caleb Williams sits at No. 1 with 9.2 yards per attempt, tied with Matt Leinart at second with 8.6 and Sam Darnold holds the No. 3 spot with 8.5 yards per attempt.
He is currently eighth on USC's career total offense leader board with 7,568 total yards of offense as a Trojan. Maiava also ranks 13th on USC's single season passing leader board with 265 completions in the 2025 season.
Additionally, he has been named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Top 10, as a Maxwell Award semifinalist, to the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Watch List, the Davey O'Brien Award Watch List, the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List and he was one of 12 total players from the Big Ten Conference to be named to the 2026 Big Ten Football Preseason Honors list.
Maiava was also named a nominee for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year, the Allstate AFCA Goodworks Team and to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list for his commitment to community service and leadership beyond the gridiron.
The list of semifinalists selected from the QB Class will be named on Tuesday, Nov. 17. The Foundation will announce the three finalists the following week (Tuesday, Nov. 24). The 2026 Davey O'Brien Award winner will be unveiled live on ESPN on Friday, Dec. 11, during The Home Depot College Football Awards.
The 50th Annual Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner honoring the winner will be held Monday, March 8, 2027, 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.
Maiava leads the Big Ten in completions per game (22.0), passing touchdowns (20) and passing yards (2,524). He has accounted for 22 touchdowns through 9 games, throwing 20 and rushing for 2 with just 5 interceptions.
Maiava's opening nine-game stretch compares favorably with the greatest quarterbacks in USC history. Through nine games, Maiava's 66.9 completion percentage is the best among the group, while his 20 passing TDs are 8 fewer than Williams, 2 fewer than Palmer and the same number Leinart recorded during their respective nine-game starts.
Maiava makes his throws count. He is tied for second among USC career leaders in yards per attempt with 8.6 (min. 500 attempts at USC). He's in good company in the stat – Caleb Williams sits at No. 1 with 9.2 yards per attempt, tied with Matt Leinart at second with 8.6 and Sam Darnold holds the No. 3 spot with 8.5 yards per attempt.
He is currently eighth on USC's career total offense leader board with 7,568 total yards of offense as a Trojan. Maiava also ranks 13th on USC's single season passing leader board with 265 completions in the 2025 season.
Additionally, he has been named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Top 10, as a Maxwell Award semifinalist, to the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Watch List, the Davey O'Brien Award Watch List, the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List and he was one of 12 total players from the Big Ten Conference to be named to the 2026 Big Ten Football Preseason Honors list.
Maiava was also named a nominee for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year, the Allstate AFCA Goodworks Team and to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list for his commitment to community service and leadership beyond the gridiron.
The list of semifinalists selected from the QB Class will be named on Tuesday, Nov. 17. The Foundation will announce the three finalists the following week (Tuesday, Nov. 24). The 2026 Davey O'Brien Award winner will be unveiled live on ESPN on Friday, Dec. 11, during The Home Depot College Football Awards.
The 50th Annual Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner honoring the winner will be held Monday, March 8, 2027, at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.
Players Mentioned
QB
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