If there’s one thing you can count on with Lincoln Riley, it’s that nothing comes easy, especially when it’s about the QB room. USC fans walked into the offseason thinking they had some clarity at quarterback, maybe even stability. Jayden Maiava finished strong, the momentum felt real, and for a moment, it looked like Riley had his guy. But here we are, fall creeping closer, and Riley just poured gasoline on the QB fire.

Maiava might’ve earned some trust, but Riley’s not giving anyone a free pass. Not in this room. Not with this schedule. Now there’s Sam Huard in the mix, flashing in camp and making it clear this isn’t going to be a one-man show. You can feel the energy shift. Riley’s talking about the competition again. And suddenly, QB1 at USC feels more like an open challenge than a confirmed title.

Riley appeared at Big Ten Media Days and kicked things off by saying Maiava’s biggest strength was avoiding big mistakes. “The big deal is just avoiding some of the big mistakes. He operated our offense well.” And that’s real talk. But it didn’t stop there: Riley laid out exactly why Maiava isn’t guaranteed the job, praising Jayden’s progress yet stressing the depth behind him.

“It’s first‑world problems, right? Having two guys that you really believe in… is a great thing. We were super impressed with how Jayden Maiava played in the last four games… against four really quality teams, four very strong defenses… outstanding work. He’s grown and progressed a lot. And it really plays with Sam Huard as well. I think the room is as deep as we’ve had it at USC… it’s competition.” He concluded.

Why don’t we just bring in the numbers, because Jayden Maiava’s resume deserves respect, but it also shows why Riley wants competition. In 2024, Maiava played in 7 games, starting the final four. He completed 101-of-169 passes (59.8%) for 1,201 yards, 11 TDs, and 6 INTs, with a QBR of 72.3. On the ground, he added 45 rushing yards and 4 rushing TDs. Not bad, right? But in Riley’s system, those turnover moments he mentioned loom large. Analysts ranked Maiava No. 13 in the Big Ten and #54 nationally, noting flashes but also inconsistency and a need to trim those mistakes.

Still, he’s got an upside. At 6 feet 4 inches and 220 pounds out of Hawaii, the arm, the frame, and the dual-threat traits check the box. He even rallied USC in the Las Vegas Bowl, throwing four touchdowns despite early rough patches against Texas A&M. Those flashes are why Riley called him “outstanding work.”

But Riley also made mention of Sam Huard, a former four-star QB, and the freshman Longstreet. And that’s the key. This is no longer one‑man show territory. But winning the QB1 battle is only half the fight. Maiava’s true test will be whether he can click with Riley’s biggest offensive weapon.

Lincoln Riley’s best bet in 2025 might not be his QB at all

If Maiava does secure the QB1 spot, he won’t be going it alone. In fact, he might be walking into one of the most receiver-friendly systems in the Big Ten, with one of the most slept-on game-changers in the country ready to explode. USC may have stumbled in 2024, finishing outside the top 20, but Riley’s offense still ranked 23rd nationally and No. 1 in Big Ten passing. It wasn’t a personnel issue; it was a consistency issue.

That’s where Ja’Kobi Lane enters the chat. Most of the preseason hype is focused on Makai Lemon, and understandably so. But if you ask On3’s J.D. PicKell, Lane is the real X-factor. In his words, “Jayden Maiava has a little bit of psychopath to him, which I think will ultimately benefit USC as an offense… Ja’Kobi Lane, probably—careful how I say this—I think he’s probably the best receiver in the Big Ten not playing for Ohio State.” That’s high praise, and it comes with expectations.

Lane brings a rare combination of size, ball skills, and route precision that could make him a star under Riley’s scheme. He might not have the national name yet. But once Maiava starts slinging it his way, expect that to change fast. And let’s be real, Riley’s offense is due for a bounce-back. He’s got the tools. He’s got the system. And now, he just needs the right guy behind center. If that ends up being Maiava, and if Lane lives up to the hype, this Trojan offense could flip the Big Ten script real fast. The road won’t be easy, but it might just be electric.