University Southern California Trojans
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
USC Quarterback Jayden Maiava Named to Manning Award Watch List
August 24, 2026 | Football
LOS ANGELES—USC quarterback Jayden Maiava has been named to the 2026 Manning Award Watch List.
Created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, the Manning Award honors the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning Family. It is the only major quarterback award that includes candidates' performances during the post season in determining their winner.
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, the Davey O'Brien 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, led the Big Ten in passing yards 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.
The winner of the Manning Award will be selected following the postseason by a voting panel that includes national media members, as well as each of the Mannings.
Finalists will be announced prior to the postseason, and the winner will be named following the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, the Manning Award honors the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning Family. It is the only major quarterback award that includes candidates' performances during the post season in determining their winner.
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, the Davey O'Brien 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, led the Big Ten in passing yards 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.
The winner of the Manning Award will be selected following the postseason by a voting panel that includes national media members, as well as each of the Mannings.
Finalists will be announced prior to the postseason, and the winner will be named following the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Monday, August 24
Thursday, August 20
Wednesday, August 19
Wednesday, August 19
