University Southern California Trojans
Players Mentioned
USC’s Jayden Maiava, Alani Noa and Justin Tauanuu Named to Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List
August 20, 2026 | Football
LOS ANGELES—USC quarterback Jayden Maiava and offensive linemen Alani Noa and Justin Tauanuu have been named to the 2026 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Watch List. Presented annually, the award honors the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry who exemplifies exceptional ability and integrity both on and off the field.
Three Trojans have won the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award: Talanoa Hufanga (2020), Tuli Tuipulotu (2022) and Makai Lemon (2025).
Maiava continues to add preseason accolades to his name. He was named to the Maxwell Award Watch List, the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Watch List, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List and he was one of 12 total players from the Big Ten Conference to be named to the 2026 Big Ten Football Preseason Honors list. Maiava was also recently named a nominee for the Allstate AFCA Goodworks Team and to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list for his commitment to community service and leadership beyond the gridiron.
Maiava, a 2025 All-Big Ten Third Team quarterback led the nation with a 91.2 QBR and has 31 career starts. As USC's starting quarterback, Maiava started in all 13 games for the Trojans in 2025. He completed 265-of-403 passes (65.8%) for 3,711 yards and 24 TDs with 10 INTs, plus he rushed for 157 yards on 54 carries (2.9 avg.) and 6 TDs. He also recorded 1 tackle and 1 forced fumble (one of two quarterbacks in the FBS to do so in 2025).
He was named to the 2025 All Big Ten Third Team, the 2025 Phil Steele All-Big Ten Third Team and the Pro Football Sports Network All-Big Ten Third Team. Maiava was a Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Finalist and was a Davey O'Brien Award Semifinalist. He was a two-time Davey O'Brien Great 8 recipient and a Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week honoree.
Noa, an experienced offensive lineman, returns as a senior in 2026. In his three-year career, Noa has seen action in 29 games with 22 starts (12 at left guard and 10 at right guard). He saw action in 11 games (all except UCLA and the Alamo Bowl versus TCU) and made 10 starts as a junior in 2025.
In his two-year career, Tauanuu has seen action in 16 games with 13 starts (12 at right tackle and 1 at left tackle). He appeared and started in all 13 games ( starts (12 at right tackle and 1 at left tackle) as a redshirt freshman offensive lineman in 2025.
USC finished the regular season ranked No. 7 in the nation and No. 1 in the Big Ten in passing offense (297.3) and No. 10 in nation in total offense (471.6) and second in the Big Ten. Noa and Tauanuu both earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2025.
Finalists for the 2026 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be unveiled on December 8th, and the winner will be announced on Dec. 15. The presentation of the Award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner on Jan. 16 2027, and they will also be recognized during the Polynesian Bowl on Jan. 15, 2027.
Three Trojans have won the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award: Talanoa Hufanga (2020), Tuli Tuipulotu (2022) and Makai Lemon (2025).
Maiava continues to add preseason accolades to his name. He was named to the Maxwell Award Watch List, the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Watch List, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List and he was one of 12 total players from the Big Ten Conference to be named to the 2026 Big Ten Football Preseason Honors list. Maiava was also recently named a nominee for the Allstate AFCA Goodworks Team and to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list for his commitment to community service and leadership beyond the gridiron.
Maiava, a 2025 All-Big Ten Third Team quarterback led the nation with a 91.2 QBR and has 31 career starts. As USC's starting quarterback, Maiava started in all 13 games for the Trojans in 2025. He completed 265-of-403 passes (65.8%) for 3,711 yards and 24 TDs with 10 INTs, plus he rushed for 157 yards on 54 carries (2.9 avg.) and 6 TDs. He also recorded 1 tackle and 1 forced fumble (one of two quarterbacks in the FBS to do so in 2025).
He was named to the 2025 All Big Ten Third Team, the 2025 Phil Steele All-Big Ten Third Team and the Pro Football Sports Network All-Big Ten Third Team. Maiava was a Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Finalist and was a Davey O'Brien Award Semifinalist. He was a two-time Davey O'Brien Great 8 recipient and a Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week honoree.
Noa, an experienced offensive lineman, returns as a senior in 2026. In his three-year career, Noa has seen action in 29 games with 22 starts (12 at left guard and 10 at right guard). He saw action in 11 games (all except UCLA and the Alamo Bowl versus TCU) and made 10 starts as a junior in 2025.
In his two-year career, Tauanuu has seen action in 16 games with 13 starts (12 at right tackle and 1 at left tackle). He appeared and started in all 13 games ( starts (12 at right tackle and 1 at left tackle) as a redshirt freshman offensive lineman in 2025.
USC finished the regular season ranked No. 7 in the nation and No. 1 in the Big Ten in passing offense (297.3) and No. 10 in nation in total offense (471.6) and second in the Big Ten. Noa and Tauanuu both earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2025.
Finalists for the 2026 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be unveiled on December 8th, and the winner will be announced on Dec. 15. The presentation of the Award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner on Jan. 16 2027, and they will also be recognized during the Polynesian Bowl on Jan. 15, 2027.
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