USC QB Maiava is Heisman Dark Horse No One is Talking About

Around this time of year, you begin to hear verbal support for certain players as the top candidates for the most prestigious award in college football-the Heisman Trophy.

The fans and the media start planting the flag at the top of the Heisman mountain for players like Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith, Miami quarterback/receiver duo Darian Mensah/Malachi Toney, and Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, to name just a few.

However, there is a gunslinger out west, in the City of Angels, that could be a dark horse for the Heisman, and no one is talking about him: USC quarterback Jayden Maiava.

Maiava has the Trojans at 6-1 so far this season, and is in position to do some damage in the back half of the season.

He is coming off an impressive victory on the road at Penn State in their White Out game. Against the Nittany Lions, Maiava completed 21-of-33 passes for 301 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-23 victory.

For the season, Maiava is ranked in the top ten nationally in the following categories:

Maiava has only thrown three interceptions this season, which is a considerable improvement over his previous collegiate years.

He has thrown multiple-touchdown passes in six of his seven games. Maiava has posted three games of over 300 yards passing.

In a close game against Washington at home, Maiava tossed a 10-yard touchdown pass to receiver Tanook Hines in the third quarter to get to within one score. That touchdown also changed the momentum for the Trojans.

The defense forced a Washington fumble that was retuned for another touchdown. That allowed USC to take the lead they would not relinquish.

For good measure, the Trojans defense held the Huskies scoreless in the fourth quarter to secure a four-point, 24-21 win.

Maiava has three potential Heisman moments left on the schedule, all against ranked teams. The Trojans still must face No. 5 Ohio State, they travel to No. 4 Indiana, and they will take a bus across town to take on No. 12 UCLA to close out the regular season.

Things happen fast in college football. Just because Maiava was not on anyone’s Heisman radar in the preseason, does not mean he cannot burst onto the scene in the second half of the season.

Maiava must maintain his current pace from a production standpoint, and win against those ranked teams left on the schedule.

He must keep USC within striking distance of a Big Ten title and College Football Playoff berth. It is not that much of a stretch to believe Maiava could be hoisting the Heisman at the end of the season.