Jayden Maiava Flips Transfer to USC from Georgia as Caleb Williams Enters NFL Draft

Jayden Maiava's Georgia career was short-lived.

On Monday, the father of the former UNLV quarterback said Maiava was on his way to the Bulldogs. By Wednesday, William Maiava-Pratt told ESPN's Tom VanHaaren his son has now settled on USC.

VanHaaren reported the change came after Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley "made a final pitch."

If anything, the bigger surprise might be Maiava picking Georgia in the first place. Carson Beck, the Bulldogs' leading passer in 2023, confirmed he's returning for his senior year, and he'll have the inside track on the starting job for 2024.

USC's quarterback room, on the other hand, is wide open. Caleb Williams is almost universally considered at top-five pick in the 2024 NFL draft, and Malachi Nelson is transferring to Boise State.

Miller Moss went 23-of-33 for 372 yards, six touchdowns and one interception in a 42-28 win over Louisville in the Holiday Bowl, but the pursuit of Maiava signaled how the coaching staff wasn't letting one game alter its offseason plans.

The Trojans had been linked with former Kansas State QB Will Howard, who ultimately picked Ohio State. In Maiava, Riley may have found a better alternative.

Whereas Howard is a graduate transfer, Maiava has as many as three years of eligibility remaining. He should be a great fit in Riley's offense as well. He threw for 3,085 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with the Rebels in 2023. He also ran for 277 yards and three touchdowns.

Unlike some of Riley's recent success stories, Maiava wasn't a blue-chip recruit coming out of high school. He was a 3-star talent and the No. 53 quarterback in 247Sports' composite rankings for 2022.

The Nevada native nonetheless turned some heads at UNLV, and Trojans fans will be eagerly anticipating what he can do in Southern California.