Oregon versus USC is what truly matters this year for the Trojans, but the comparison between the teams has skewed the one-versus-one comparison between Dante Moore and Jayden Maiava. We talked to UCLA Wire about the two quarterbacks.
“Trojans Wire writer Matt Zemek is one of the many Maiava believers, holding the Trojans’ quarterback in the highest tier of Big Ten Conference quarterbacks, including slotting Maiava ahead of former Bruin Dante Moore, who is returning for his second season as a starter with the Oregon Ducks.
“‘Jayden Maiava will definitely be one of the top quarterbacks in the Big Ten. He was good last year and now comes back for yet another season, a wise decision relative to the NFL draft. He had Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane last season. Now he probably won’t have receivers who are as good. This will help Maiava learn how to be a better passer and “throw his guys open,” to use a football-specific turn of phrase,’ Zemek said. ‘Some will say if the receivers aren’t as good, Maiava won’t be as good, but the point being missed there is that Maiava will have a solid, proven offensive line in front of him. This is where USC really did upgrade its coaching staff, going from Josh Henson to Zach Hanson as offensive line coach. That one move massively improved the O-line in 2025, and it’s why Maiava should have a strong 2026. The receivers are going to have time to get open, and Maiava will have the time to find them. I think Maiava is a better quarterback than Oregon’s Dante Moore. If Maiava was a Duck and Moore was a Trojan, the preseason chatter about the two guys would be different. Moore might come out looking better than Maiava only because Oregon has a better defense than USC, but if I’m drafting a quarterback, I’d take Maiava unless Moore really shows me something in 2026.’”
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Real talk about the debate between Jayden Maiava and Dante Moore
Reporting by Matt Zemek, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Matt Zemek, Trojans Wire | USA TODAY Network
