University Southern California Trojans
November 06, 2026 | Football
LOS ANGELES—USC quarterback Jayden Maiava has been named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Top 10, today (Nov. 6).
The Golden Arm Award recognizes quarterbacks who demonstrate excellence both on and off the field. The award is presented by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation alongside presenting partner A. O. Smith Corporation. The Foundation's mission is to promote the game of football while cultivating strong character, citizenship and academic commitment among young athletes.
The 10 quarterbacks advancing from the original 27-player Watch List represent programs from across the country and have continued to distinguish themselves through their performance, leadership and contributions to their teams throughout the 2026 season.
USC has had three players earn the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award: Rodney Peete (1988), Carson Palmer (2022) and Matt Leinart (2005).
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 the2025 season.
Additionally, he has been named to the Maxwell Award Watch List, 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.
As the selection process continues, the Golden Arm Award Selection Committee will evaluate each candidate's complete collegiate body of work, considering both on-field performance and the character, leadership, sportsmanship, academic achievement and citizenship that have defined the award since its inception.
The field will narrow to five finalists in the coming weeks before one quarterback is selected as the 2026 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award recipient. The winner will be celebrated at the annual Golden Arm Award presentation on Wednesday, December 9, at the Four Seasons Baltimore.
The Golden Arm Award recognizes quarterbacks who demonstrate excellence both on and off the field. The award is presented by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation alongside presenting partner A. O. Smith Corporation. The Foundation's mission is to promote the game of football while cultivating strong character, citizenship and academic commitment among young athletes.
The 10 quarterbacks advancing from the original 27-player Watch List represent programs from across the country and have continued to distinguish themselves through their performance, leadership and contributions to their teams throughout the 2026 season.
USC has had three players earn the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award: Rodney Peete (1988), Carson Palmer (2022) and Matt Leinart (2005).
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 the2025 season.
Additionally, he has been named to the Maxwell Award Watch List, 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.
As the selection process continues, the Golden Arm Award Selection Committee will evaluate each candidate's complete collegiate body of work, considering both on-field performance and the character, leadership, sportsmanship, academic achievement and citizenship that have defined the award since its inception.
The field will narrow to five finalists in the coming weeks before one quarterback is selected as the 2026 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award recipient. The winner will be celebrated at the annual Golden Arm Award presentation on Wednesday, December 9, at the Four Seasons Baltimore.
Players Mentioned
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