University Southern California Trojans
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
USC’s Jayden Maiava Named to Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
August 11, 2026 | Football
LOS ANGELES—USC quarterback Jayden Maiava was named to the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, today (Aug. 11). The award honors Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) players who lead through community service while excelling in the classroom and on the field.
As college football's premier award for community service, the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recognizes student-athletes who use their platforms to serve others and make a positive impact in their communities. Named after Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy winner and former University of Florida quarterback, the award reflects his lifelong commitment to leadership, service and unity.
Maiava continues to add preseason accolades to his name. He was named to the Maxwell Award 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 recently named a nominee for the Allstate AFCA Goodworks Team for his commitment to community service and leadership beyond the gridiron.
As USC's quarterback and a household name under one of football's most prominent spotlights, Maiava remains deeply grounded in service, humility and community. Originally from Honolulu's Pālolo Valley, Maiava never forgot where he came from or the struggles he overcame growing up. His experiences shaped an incredible servant's heart and a genuine passion for mentoring children and uplifting underserved communities, especially his deep commitment to giving back to the community that helped shape him. Maiava consistently uses his platform to inspire hope, connection and opportunity for others. He embodies the spirit of 'ohana: the value of family, connection and community.
For Maiava, giving back to the community that raised him is deeply personal. In June of 2026, he returned to Honolulu's Pālolo Valley where he hosted a free youth football clinic for more than 350 local children ages 6 to 14, transforming a day of football instruction into a meaningful event centered on mentorship, inspiration and opportunity. Throughout the clinic, Maiava taught football fundamentals while emphasizing teamwork, perseverance and the importance of believing in yourself despite adversity, drawing from his own journey from the Pālolo Valley to the highest levels of the sport. Extending his impact beyond the field, proceeds from event t-shirt sales were donated to Aloha 1st Athletics, a local nonprofit dedicated to leadership, character development and mental health support through sports, reinforcing his commitment to investing in the next generation and strengthening the community that shaped him. Above all, Maiava encouraged attendees to lead with integrity, make a positive impact on those around them and pursue excellence in football, academics, faith and everyday life.
On this same trip, Maiava continued his commitment to giving back by returning to his former high school, Kaimukī High, where he spoke to students not only as the USC quarterback but as someone who once walked the same halls with the same aspirations. Reflecting on his journey from serving as a Bulldogs ball boy and water boy to achieving his dream of wearing the Kaimukī jersey and competing at the highest level, Maiava shared an honest message about overcoming adversity, embracing opportunity and trusting God's plan. He encouraged students to approach life with a "Fight On" mentality, emphasizing resilience, discipline, faith, accountability and the importance of supporting others through difficult times. Crediting his mother as his greatest inspiration, he also stressed the value of education and the life lessons football has taught him about leadership, perseverance and character.
Maiava's outreach continued at Jarrett Middle School, where he inspired more than 400 students through an interactive discussion focused on perseverance, personal responsibility and making positive choices, sharing his own experiences growing up in Pālolo Housing and encouraging students to embrace discipline over regret as they pursue their goals. He also visited Pālolo Elementary School, where he read with students, sang songs and created an engaging, uplifting environment that reflected his genuine commitment to mentorship and community. Together, these visits underscored Maiava's dedication to empowering Hawaii's youth through education, faith, service and authentic leadership, reinforcing his mission to invest in the communities that helped shape him.
Beyond his work in Hawaii, Maiava has consistently dedicated his time to serving communities throughout Los Angeles, partnering with organizations focused on food insecurity, youth development and community outreach. He has volunteered multiple times with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, helping sort and pack thousands of pounds of fresh produce for families in need, including supporting relief efforts for residents displaced by the January 2025 wildfires.
Maiava has also demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing food insecurity through his service at the Dream Center and The Midnight Mission. Across three volunteer shifts at the Dream Center, he helped prepare and serve more than 1,300 meals for individuals experiencing food insecurity, while at The Midnight Mission he worked alongside staff to prepare and distribute meals to individuals and families seeking support, reflecting his hands-on approach to serving those most in need.
In addition to his volunteer service, Maiava has invested in mentoring and empowering young people through organizations including the Boys & Girls Club, Angel City Sports' Youth Weekend and The Young Shakespeareans. Whether coaching and encouraging local youth, participating in adaptive sports alongside children with physical disabilities or celebrating students' achievements in the arts, he has consistently used his platform to promote inclusion, confidence, education and personal growth while building meaningful connections throughout the community.
On the field, USC returns the nation's top quarterback in Maiava. The 2025 All-Big Ten Third Team quarterback led the nation with a 91.2 QBR and has 31 career starts. As USC's starting quarterback, Maiava started in all 13 games for the Trojans in 2025. He completed 265-of-403 passes (65.8%) for 3,711 yards and 24 TDs with 10 INTs, plus he rushed for 157 yards on 54 carries (2.9 avg.) and 6 TDs. He also recorded 1 tackle and 1 forced fumble (one of two quarterbacks in the FBS to do so in 2025).
He was named to the 2025 All Big Ten Third Team, the 2025 Phil Steele All-Big Ten Third Team and the Pro Football Sports Network All-Big Ten Third Team. Maiava was a Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Finalist and was a Davey O'Brien Award Semifinalist. He was a two-time Davey O'Brien Great 8 recipient and a Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week honoree.
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy finalists will be selected by the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy National Selection Committee, with input from a fan vote. The 2026 recipient will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards show on December 11, and also serve as captain of the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
The 2026 recipient and finalists will be invited to join Wuerffel in New York City for Heisman Trophy events, including the Wuerffel Foundation's Picklebowl: Heisman Edition. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Presentation Gala will follow in February 2027 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
As college football's premier award for community service, the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recognizes student-athletes who use their platforms to serve others and make a positive impact in their communities. Named after Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy winner and former University of Florida quarterback, the award reflects his lifelong commitment to leadership, service and unity.
Maiava continues to add preseason accolades to his name. He was named to the Maxwell Award 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 recently named a nominee for the Allstate AFCA Goodworks Team for his commitment to community service and leadership beyond the gridiron.
As USC's quarterback and a household name under one of football's most prominent spotlights, Maiava remains deeply grounded in service, humility and community. Originally from Honolulu's Pālolo Valley, Maiava never forgot where he came from or the struggles he overcame growing up. His experiences shaped an incredible servant's heart and a genuine passion for mentoring children and uplifting underserved communities, especially his deep commitment to giving back to the community that helped shape him. Maiava consistently uses his platform to inspire hope, connection and opportunity for others. He embodies the spirit of 'ohana: the value of family, connection and community.
For Maiava, giving back to the community that raised him is deeply personal. In June of 2026, he returned to Honolulu's Pālolo Valley where he hosted a free youth football clinic for more than 350 local children ages 6 to 14, transforming a day of football instruction into a meaningful event centered on mentorship, inspiration and opportunity. Throughout the clinic, Maiava taught football fundamentals while emphasizing teamwork, perseverance and the importance of believing in yourself despite adversity, drawing from his own journey from the Pālolo Valley to the highest levels of the sport. Extending his impact beyond the field, proceeds from event t-shirt sales were donated to Aloha 1st Athletics, a local nonprofit dedicated to leadership, character development and mental health support through sports, reinforcing his commitment to investing in the next generation and strengthening the community that shaped him. Above all, Maiava encouraged attendees to lead with integrity, make a positive impact on those around them and pursue excellence in football, academics, faith and everyday life.
On this same trip, Maiava continued his commitment to giving back by returning to his former high school, Kaimukī High, where he spoke to students not only as the USC quarterback but as someone who once walked the same halls with the same aspirations. Reflecting on his journey from serving as a Bulldogs ball boy and water boy to achieving his dream of wearing the Kaimukī jersey and competing at the highest level, Maiava shared an honest message about overcoming adversity, embracing opportunity and trusting God's plan. He encouraged students to approach life with a "Fight On" mentality, emphasizing resilience, discipline, faith, accountability and the importance of supporting others through difficult times. Crediting his mother as his greatest inspiration, he also stressed the value of education and the life lessons football has taught him about leadership, perseverance and character.
Maiava's outreach continued at Jarrett Middle School, where he inspired more than 400 students through an interactive discussion focused on perseverance, personal responsibility and making positive choices, sharing his own experiences growing up in Pālolo Housing and encouraging students to embrace discipline over regret as they pursue their goals. He also visited Pālolo Elementary School, where he read with students, sang songs and created an engaging, uplifting environment that reflected his genuine commitment to mentorship and community. Together, these visits underscored Maiava's dedication to empowering Hawaii's youth through education, faith, service and authentic leadership, reinforcing his mission to invest in the communities that helped shape him.
Beyond his work in Hawaii, Maiava has consistently dedicated his time to serving communities throughout Los Angeles, partnering with organizations focused on food insecurity, youth development and community outreach. He has volunteered multiple times with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, helping sort and pack thousands of pounds of fresh produce for families in need, including supporting relief efforts for residents displaced by the January 2025 wildfires.
Maiava has also demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing food insecurity through his service at the Dream Center and The Midnight Mission. Across three volunteer shifts at the Dream Center, he helped prepare and serve more than 1,300 meals for individuals experiencing food insecurity, while at The Midnight Mission he worked alongside staff to prepare and distribute meals to individuals and families seeking support, reflecting his hands-on approach to serving those most in need.
In addition to his volunteer service, Maiava has invested in mentoring and empowering young people through organizations including the Boys & Girls Club, Angel City Sports' Youth Weekend and The Young Shakespeareans. Whether coaching and encouraging local youth, participating in adaptive sports alongside children with physical disabilities or celebrating students' achievements in the arts, he has consistently used his platform to promote inclusion, confidence, education and personal growth while building meaningful connections throughout the community.
On the field, USC returns the nation's top quarterback in Maiava. The 2025 All-Big Ten Third Team quarterback led the nation with a 91.2 QBR and has 31 career starts. As USC's starting quarterback, Maiava started in all 13 games for the Trojans in 2025. He completed 265-of-403 passes (65.8%) for 3,711 yards and 24 TDs with 10 INTs, plus he rushed for 157 yards on 54 carries (2.9 avg.) and 6 TDs. He also recorded 1 tackle and 1 forced fumble (one of two quarterbacks in the FBS to do so in 2025).
He was named to the 2025 All Big Ten Third Team, the 2025 Phil Steele All-Big Ten Third Team and the Pro Football Sports Network All-Big Ten Third Team. Maiava was a Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Finalist and was a Davey O'Brien Award Semifinalist. He was a two-time Davey O'Brien Great 8 recipient and a Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week honoree.
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy finalists will be selected by the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy National Selection Committee, with input from a fan vote. The 2026 recipient will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards show on December 11, and also serve as captain of the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
The 2026 recipient and finalists will be invited to join Wuerffel in New York City for Heisman Trophy events, including the Wuerffel Foundation's Picklebowl: Heisman Edition. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Presentation Gala will follow in February 2027 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
Tuesday, August 11
Tuesday, August 11
Tuesday, August 11
Tuesday, August 11
