LOS ANGELES — Jayden Maiava looks back with fondness at the achievements of Marcus Mariota, who won the Heisman Trophy while playing at Oregon, and Tua Tagovailoa, who led Alabama to a national championship. Watching these talented quarterbacks excel at such high levels has inspired Maiava, who hails from Hawaii and has long aspired to reach similar heights in college football.

This Saturday, Maiava’s dream turns into reality as he prepares to become the first Polynesian quarterback to start for the University of Southern California (USC). The Trojans, currently at 4-5 overall and 2-5 in the Big Ten, are set to face the Nebraska Cornhuskers, who have a record of 5-4 and are 2-4 in the conference. It’s possible Maiava could be matched against Nebraska’s own Dylan Raiola, another quarterback from Hawaii with Polynesian roots, although Raiola’s participation is uncertain due to injury.

“It is an honor to be the first Polynesian quarterback at SC,” said Maiava. “I have big shoes to fill, but with the solid team and supportive coaches we have, it eases the pressure. It definitely makes my task more manageable.”

After establishing himself as a standout freshman at UNLV last year, this opportunity comes at a critical juncture for USC. The team has faced setbacks, losing four out of five games prior to last week’s bye. There is a pressing need for the Trojans, under coach Lincoln Riley, to turn around what has been a disappointing season, as they have yet to contend for national honors in three years of his tenure.

Consequently, Maiava steps in for Miller Moss, who ranks 10th nationally with an average of 283.9 yards passing per game. While Moss performed adequately during his initial season as a starter, his play has been less than remarkable and is marred by seven interceptions during the team’s recent slump.

“We are pleased with his growth,” Riley commented on Maiava. “We felt this was the right moment for him to seize this opportunity. The bye week allowed us to get him some additional repetitions, and he has managed the preparation well. We’re eager to watch him compete.”

Maiava’s playing style appears more suited to the spread offense that Riley utilizes, contrasting with Moss’s more pocket-oriented game. Enthusiastically, Maiava has demonstrated his ability to evade defenders—the signal-caller rushed for 277 yards and three touchdowns at UNLV, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities as he also scored during a decisive victory against Utah State this season.

“He’s a dynamic playmaker, and I’m excited to see what he’ll accomplish,” receiver Duce Robinson remarked.

Maiava has utilized the two weeks of practice leading up to his starting debut effectively, engaging in additional workouts with key receivers like Makai Lemon and Zachariah Branch to build chemistry. “Time is of the essence for me right now,” Maiava noted. “We are just trying to get a head start.”

His teammates have expressed confidence in his ability to thrive in the demanding environment at USC, frequently highlighting his exceptional arm strength. “His ability to throw deep is impressive,” Lemon commented. “His arm talent has been evident since day one.”

Although Maiava will be the first Polynesian quarterback at USC, he embraces the legacy of notable Polynesian players that have come before him, such as Junior Seau, Troy Polamalu, and Rey Maualuga. Notably, his uncle Kaluka was also a linebacker at USC from 2005 to 2008.

Having grown up in Hawaii, Maiava moved to Las Vegas to complete high school before signing with UNLV. He redshirted during his first year in 2022 but made his mark as the freshman starter for the Rebels in September 2023, contributing to the team’s best season since the 1980s.

After a successful campaign that saw UNLV finish 9-5 and win the Mountain West title, Maiava faced a tumultuous transfer process in January. Just a day after his father announced a transfer to Georgia, Maiava opted for USC instead.

Now, as he takes the reins as the starting quarterback, Maiava faces an important stretch in the season. The Trojans are vying for bowl eligibility with critical rivalry games against UCLA and Notre Dame on the horizon.

If he performs well, Maiava could secure the starting role for the next season; a struggle, however, may lead to another quarterback battle come spring. Nonetheless, he is embracing the opportunity and looking ahead positively.

“I believe I’ve made significant progress,” he shared. “I ask many questions and receive outstanding guidance from Coach Riley and Coach Huard. Now, it’s simply about executing our strategy. They equip us with everything we need, and it’s our job to carry that out on the field.”