Ex UNLV quarterback switches his commitment from Georgia to USC

Late Tuesday night, the former UNLV quarterback switched his pledge from the Bulldogs to the Trojans.

Jayden Maiava changed his mind about Georgia just one day after committing.

Late Tuesday night, the former UNLV quarterback switched his pledge from the Bulldogs to USC. The decision to transfer to USC came just one day after Maiava, a 6-foot-4, 220-pounder, commited to the Bulldogs.

Maiava, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 220 pounds, will instead attend UCLA, where he will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Maiava shone as the Rebels’ starting quarterback during his redshirt freshman season. Maiava completed 63.5% of his passes for 3,085 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 14 games. He also ran for 277 yards and three touchdowns.

Maiava will be attending an SEC institution, but he is no stranger to league competition. On Sept. 16, Maiava led UNLV to an upset victory over Vanderbilt, completing 19-of-33 passes for 261 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

Maiava was undecided about staying at UNLV. On January 1, he finally joined the transfer portal.

Maiava redshirted as a true freshman in 2022 after signing as a three-star prospect from Liberty High School in Henderson, Nevada. In 2021, he led the Patriots to the state title game, throwing for 2,027 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Georgia will have three scholarship quarterbacks in 2024 as a result of Maiava’s decision: senior Carson Beck, redshirt sophomore Gunner Stockton, and true freshman Ryan Puglisi.Kirby Smart remarked on National Signing Day about his intention to have four scholarship quarterbacks for the upcoming season.

“That’s something we’ll have to think about long and hard about,” Smart said when asked if coach would bring in another quarterback. “Four is our hard number.” We want to be at four, but we aren’t. So, once again, we’ll consider our alternatives and see what we can do. We’d want to be at four, but that’s our target.”

Maiava is the Bulldogs’ latest miss in their pursuit of four scholarship quarterbacks. Georgia attempted to switch Florida State commit Luke Kromenhoek to Nebraska immediately after Dylan Raiola switched from Georgia to Nebraska, but the four-star Kromenhoek stayed with his vow and signed with the Seminoles.