University Southern California Trojans
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USC Quarterback Jayden Maiava Named to Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List
August 20, 2026 | Football
LOS ANGELES—USC quarterback Jayden Maiava has been named to the 2026 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List. The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award recognizes quarterbacks who demonstrate excellence both on and off the field.
USC has had three players earn the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award: Rodney Peete (1988), Carson Palmer (2022) and Matt Leinart (2005).
Maiava continues to add preseason accolades to his name. He was named to the Maxwell Award Watch List, the Walter Camp Player of the Year 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 and to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list for his commitment to community service and leadership beyond the gridiron.
Maiava, a 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.
For the 2026 season, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation has refined its eligibility criteria to better reflect the changing landscape of college football while preserving the tradition and standards of the Golden Arm Award. Eligible quarterbacks must have at least three years, but no more than five years, of collegiate enrollment and roster membership. Eligibility is based on years in college, not academic class designation.
As the 2026 college football season unfolds, the Watch List will be narrowed to semifinalists and finalists before one standout quarterback is selected to receive the Golden Arm Award in December. The winner will be celebrated at the annual Golden Arm Award ceremony in Johnny Unitas' hometown of Baltimore on December 9.
USC has had three players earn the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award: Rodney Peete (1988), Carson Palmer (2022) and Matt Leinart (2005).
Maiava continues to add preseason accolades to his name. He was named to the Maxwell Award Watch List, the Walter Camp Player of the Year 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 and to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list for his commitment to community service and leadership beyond the gridiron.
Maiava, a 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.
For the 2026 season, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation has refined its eligibility criteria to better reflect the changing landscape of college football while preserving the tradition and standards of the Golden Arm Award. Eligible quarterbacks must have at least three years, but no more than five years, of collegiate enrollment and roster membership. Eligibility is based on years in college, not academic class designation.
As the 2026 college football season unfolds, the Watch List will be narrowed to semifinalists and finalists before one standout quarterback is selected to receive the Golden Arm Award in December. The winner will be celebrated at the annual Golden Arm Award ceremony in Johnny Unitas' hometown of Baltimore on December 9.
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