USC Quarterback Jayden Maiava Named Semifinalist for Davey O’Brien Award

LOS ANGELES—USC quarterback Jayden Maiava has been named a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award, at the moment (Nov. 12). 

The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award is offered yearly to the nation’s finest faculty quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious nationwide quarterback award.

Twenty gamers had been named semifinalists for the distinction. 

Maiava thrives in USC head coach Lincoln Riley‘s electrical offense as USC is No. 2 within the nation (and No. 1 within the Big Ten) in whole offense (503.2). The Trojans additionally lead the Big Ten in passing offense (303.0) and passing yards per completion (14.20). 

USC is the one workforce within the nation averaging 300+ passing yards per recreation and 200+ dashing yards per recreation. USC has not produced these numbers since 2005. In reality, no FBS workforce has produced these numbers since LSU in 2023, and no Big Ten workforce has since Indiana in 2013.

Maiava is No. 2 within the nation with a 90.6 QBR. Additionally, he’s third within the nation in yards per move try (9.72) and fourth within the nation (and first within the Big Ten) in passing yards per completion (14.69). Maiava additionally leads the Big Ten in passing yards per recreation (290.4).

Great throws beat nice coverages, and Maiava’s precision and athleticism show simply that. His accuracy is showcased via his wonderful ball placement and timing in his high-value and high-difficulty passes as he’s fifth within the nation with 19 large time throws, per PFF.  

In USC’s most up-to-date 38-17 victory over Northwestern on Friday (Nov. 7), Maiava went 24-of-33 (.727) for 299 yards and a pair of TDs. He recorded a 93.0 QBR. He additionally rushed for 10 yards on 4 carries and 1 TD.

The recreation marked the third time this season Maiava has had a dashing and passing TD in the identical recreation.

At the top of the second quarter, Maiava was picked off by Northwestern DL Najee Story, Maiava did not hesitate, took off after Story and launched his physique into Story’s 6-4, 300-pound body to pressure a fumble on the USC 1-yard line to stop a Wildcat TD because the ball bounced via the top zone, and the play resulted in a touchback.

Maiava’s deal with and never-give-up perspective utterly modified the momentum of the sport. He is the one quarterback within the FBS to file a compelled fumble this season.

Maiava has 17 TDs up to now in 2025, matching his single-season profession excessive from his 2023 UNLV season.

The finalists will be chosen based mostly on voting from the Davey O’Brien National Selection Committee in addition to bonus ballots awarded from the second spherical of the Davey O’Brien Fan Vote.

For the sixth straight 12 months, fan voting on social media (Facebook, Instagram and X) will earn gamers bonus choice committee votes. Second-round fan voting will start instantly following the semifinalist announcement. To vote, followers should just like the official graphic from the @daveyobrien social media account that highlights their favourite quarterback. The second spherical will shut Friday, Nov. 21, at 11:59 p.m. CT.

The Davey O’Brien Foundation will announce the three finalists Tuesday, Nov. 25. The 2025 Davey O’Brien Award winner might be unveiled reside on ESPN on Friday, Dec. 12, throughout The Home Depot College Football Awards.

The forty ninth Annual Davey O’Brien Awards Dinner honoring the winner might be held Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.