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USC Quarterback Jayden Maiava Named to Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Watch List
September 12, 2026 | Football
LOS ANGELES—USC quarterback Jayden Maiava has been named to the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Watch List.
Nominated by their schools, the members of the watch list have all demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field.
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. Through two games, Maiava has completed 48-of-54 passes (.889) for 635 yards, 5 TDs and no interceptions and has thrown only six incompletions.
Maiava makes his throws count. He is No. 2 among USC career leaders in yards per attempt with 8.9 (min. 500 attempts at USC). He's in good company in the stat – Caleb Williams leads with 9.2 yards per attempt, Matt Leinart is third with 8.6 and Sam Darnold holds the No. 4 spot with 8.5 yards per attempt. He is currently 12th on USC's career total offense leader board with 5,738 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.
Maiava currently leads the nation with 635 passing yards. He is No. 3 in the nation and leads the Big Ten in passing TDs (5) and points responsible for (36) and is No. 5 in the nation and leads the Big Ten in completion percentage (0.889).
Through two games, USC has outscored its opponents 58-0 in the first half, including a 44-0 advantage in the second quarter. USC has more than doubled its opponents' offensive production, outgaining them 1,057-452. The Trojans are averaging 528.5 yards per game while allowing just 226.0. USC has completed 59-of-67 passes (88.1%) for 753 yards and 5 TDs. The Trojans are averaging 376.5 passing yards per game, compared with 155.5 by their opponents. USC has produced twice as many first downs as its opponents, holding a 56-28 advantage. The Trojans have converted 14-of-21 third downs (66.7%), while limiting opponents to 7-of-21 (33.3%). USC has possessed the ball for an average of 38:03 per game, more than 16 minutes longer than its opponents' average of 21:56. USC has scored TDs on 10 of its 13 red-zone trips. All 10 of its red-zone scores have been TDs; the Trojans have not attempted a field goal.
USC leads the nation in first downs offense (56) and completion percentage (0.881) and leads the Big Ten in third down conversion percentage (0.667) and fewest penalties (5).
Twenty semifinalists will be selected by a by a subset of the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Selection Committee and announced on Tuesday, October 13. Three finalists will then be named for the award on Monday, December 14. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony, which will take place in Spring of 2027.
Nominated by their schools, the members of the watch list have all demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field.
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. Through two games, Maiava has completed 48-of-54 passes (.889) for 635 yards, 5 TDs and no interceptions and has thrown only six incompletions.
Maiava makes his throws count. He is No. 2 among USC career leaders in yards per attempt with 8.9 (min. 500 attempts at USC). He's in good company in the stat – Caleb Williams leads with 9.2 yards per attempt, Matt Leinart is third with 8.6 and Sam Darnold holds the No. 4 spot with 8.5 yards per attempt. He is currently 12th on USC's career total offense leader board with 5,738 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.
Maiava currently leads the nation with 635 passing yards. He is No. 3 in the nation and leads the Big Ten in passing TDs (5) and points responsible for (36) and is No. 5 in the nation and leads the Big Ten in completion percentage (0.889).
Through two games, USC has outscored its opponents 58-0 in the first half, including a 44-0 advantage in the second quarter. USC has more than doubled its opponents' offensive production, outgaining them 1,057-452. The Trojans are averaging 528.5 yards per game while allowing just 226.0. USC has completed 59-of-67 passes (88.1%) for 753 yards and 5 TDs. The Trojans are averaging 376.5 passing yards per game, compared with 155.5 by their opponents. USC has produced twice as many first downs as its opponents, holding a 56-28 advantage. The Trojans have converted 14-of-21 third downs (66.7%), while limiting opponents to 7-of-21 (33.3%). USC has possessed the ball for an average of 38:03 per game, more than 16 minutes longer than its opponents' average of 21:56. USC has scored TDs on 10 of its 13 red-zone trips. All 10 of its red-zone scores have been TDs; the Trojans have not attempted a field goal.
USC leads the nation in first downs offense (56) and completion percentage (0.881) and leads the Big Ten in third down conversion percentage (0.667) and fewest penalties (5).
Twenty semifinalists will be selected by a by a subset of the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Selection Committee and announced on Tuesday, October 13. Three finalists will then be named for the award on Monday, December 14. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony, which will take place in Spring of 2027.
Saturday, September 12
Saturday, September 12
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