Kirk Herbstreit is making sure USC’s Jayden Maiava doesn’t go unnoticed heading into 2026

USC football sparked quite the reactions Monday with the Trojans landing at No. 14. There’s the belief this Lincoln Riley-led USC team can perform better than their preseason ranking. ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit also believes there’s another underrated element to USC: Quarterback Jayden Maiava.

The former Ohio State quarterback and longtime analyst rolled out his five underrated quarterbacks for 2026. And the returning Trojans starter is Herbstreit’s No. 2 QB.

“Maiava is definitely a guy. [Especially] after transferring from UNLV and getting a year under his belt as a starter for Riley, he comes back with more experience and talent around him,” Herbstreit said. “I think the Trojans can be a surprise team.”

He likes how Maiava can run and throw on the field. “Herbie” didn’t categorize Maiava in the same category of more heralded returners Arch Manning (Texas), Dante Moore (Oregon), or Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss). But he still likes the situation Maiava walks in.

This USC team lost Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane at wide receiver to the NFL. Yet Maiava still has a loaded wideout room at his disposal.

Tanook Hines returns after establishing himself as the third-best wideout for USC. USC and Riley even landed some recruiting star power in four-stars Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, Ethan “Boobie” Feaster and Trent Mosley. Plus the Trojans pulled in deep threat and return ace Terrell Anderson out of North Carolina State.

So Maiava is anticipated to take a big leap in his third season with Riley. Herbstreit sees the potential, sparking the belief Maiava will take new leaps this season.

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