Jayden Maiava Will Lead USC Against Oregon Saturday
The undefeated USC Trojans face Oregon this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET in a game broadcast on NBC.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Football
Live Poll
Will Jayden Maiava's NFL draft stock increase significantly following his performance against Oregon?
USC quarterback Jayden Maiava enters Saturday's match against Oregon with a perfect 4-0 team record. Analyst Daniel Jeremiah suggests that a victory in this contest could significantly increase draft attention for the USC signal caller.
Why it matters
A win against a high-profile opponent like Oregon serves as a critical proving ground for collegiate players seeking to improve their standing among NFL scouts. USC relies on Maiava's performance to maintain momentum during their undefeated season.
Maiava, who stands 6 feet 4 inches and weighs 220 pounds, has completed 75.7 percent of his passes this season. He currently ranks seventh in the Heisman poll after being named to the 2025 All-Big Ten Third Team.
The players
Jayden Maiava
He is the starting quarterback for the University of Southern California who was selected to the 2025 All-Big Ten Third Team.
Daniel Jeremiah
He is an NFL draft analyst who tracks college player performance and professional prospects.
Jordan Reid
He is an analyst responsible for drafting mock projections for the upcoming NFL draft classes.
USC
The University of Southern California is a collegiate football program currently holding a 4-0 record.
Oregon
The University of Oregon is a collegiate football program scheduled to compete against USC.
The details
Maiava has maintained high efficiency through four games, contributing to the team's strong start. NFL draft projections, such as those from Jordan Reid, currently place the quarterback in the second round, though game outcomes remain a primary driver for these evaluations.
Timeline
Maiava threw for 3,711 yards and 30 total touchdowns during the 2025 season.
Jordan Reid published an updated mock draft in late August 2026.
USC is scheduled to play Oregon on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Season Trajectory
This game represents a pivotal moment for USC's playoff aspirations and Maiava's personal draft stock. A high-profile win could propel the team toward further conference success while solidifying Maiava's standing among top NFL prospects.
Maiava's performance will be heavily scrutinized by scouts as he looks to improve his standing from his current second-round draft projection. Fans should monitor his completion percentage, which currently sits at 75.7 percent, to gauge his efficiency against the Oregon defense.
The takeaway
Quarterbacks often see significant shifts in their professional scouting profiles based on performance in high-stakes televised matchups. Players looking to improve their draft position must maintain consistent completion rates while facing tougher conference opponents.
Further reading
Find more coverage of the team's season at Los Angeles Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by On3.
Live Poll
Will Jayden Maiava's NFL draft stock increase significantly following his performance against Oregon?
