USC QB Maiava Could be Latest in Lincoln Riley NFL Pipeline

USC coach Lincoln Riley has not gotten credit for anything lately, especially coming off of a terrible loss on the road to unranked Wisconsin.

However, there is one thing you have to give Riley credit for; he develops quarterbacks and sends them to the NFL.

The quarterback tree that has been planted and nurtured by Riley has produced a Who’s Who of college quarterbacks that have gone on to NFL careers.

Riley has coached and developed four quarterbacks since 2017 who have distinguished themselves on the gridiron.

Baker Mayfield: 2017 Heisman winner at Oklahoma; currently the starter with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Kyler Murray: 2018 Heisman winner at Oklahoma; currently the starter with the Minnesota Vikings

Jalen Hurts: 2019 at Oklahoma, 2025 Super Bowl winner and MVP with the Philadelphia Eagles

Caleb Williams: 2022 Heisman winner at USC, led the Chicago Bears into the divisional round of the NFC playoffs last season.

The latest in that quarterback lineage could be USC quarterback Jayden Maiava. Maiava leads the Big Ten in passing yards (2,302), and passing touchdowns (19).

In addition, Maiava leads the conference in passing yards per game (287) and passing attempts (274).

In those 274 attempts, Maiava has only thrown five interceptions, two of which came in the 24-7 loss to Wisconsin.

NFL scouts compare Maiava’s quarterback skills to that of current Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Maiava is considered a “late first round” quarterback prospect.

Riley knows the quarterback position, as he was a walk-on quarterback for Mike Leach at Texas Tech.

In 2002, Riley learned Leach’s Air Raid system as a backup to starting quarterback Kliff Kingbury and No. 2 quarterback B.J. Symons.

Riley became a student assistant and later a graduate assistant under Leach at Texas Tech. Later, he became the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma under Bob Stoops.

When Stoops retired, Riley became the head coach of the Sooners.

During his tenure in Norman, Riley posted a 55-10 record, with four consecutive Big 12 titles, and won conference and national coach of the year awards.

At USC, Riley’s record currently stands at 41-20. That is a .672 winning percentage.

Under Riley’s coaching, Maiava has thrown for 7,214 yards, 54 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions. Maiava’s career completion percentage under Riley is 64.9 percent.

Riley and Maiava will have to be on top of their game if they are to defeat the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes Saturday at the Coliseum.

Maiava and the Trojans could be catching the Buckeyes at the right time. Starting quarterback Julian Sayin has been ruled out for this game with an injury.

Either true freshman Luke Fahey or sophomore Tavien St. Clair will get the start for Ohio State.

The Buckeyes are a -7-point road favorite over the Trojans.