LOS ANGELES — In the last game of the 2023 football season, USC quarterback Miller Moss' performance rejuvenated Trojan fans' optimism about the quarterback position heading into next season.
In his first career start, the redshirt senior delivered a Holiday Bowl record of six touchdown passes, earning MVP honors.
Miller’s performance checked the boxes for USC fans, who wanted to see what life would look like after Heisman Trophy quarterback Caleb Willaims. In one game, Moss had USC looking like a completely different team with a newfound energy.
As spring practice rolled around, the starting quarterback position seemed to be Moss’ for the taking.
Enter Jayden Maiava, a 6-foot-4 quarterback transfer from UNLV hungry for a new opportunity at USC. As a redshirt freshman last season, Maiava got UNLV back to winning, ending the season with their best record since 1984 (9-5).
The Hawaiian native showcased his ability to be a threat in air and ground games, throwing for 3,085 yards and 17 touchdowns while rushing for 277 yards last season. Maiava has been on campus since spring and is looking to compete for the number one job in this training camp.
Heading into week two of USC football training camp, the quarterback position doesn't seem as set in stone as it did in the spring. Both quarterbacks will have the opportunity to compete over the next few weeks as USC gets ready for its inaugural season in the Big Ten.
Former UNLV Rebels quarterback Jayden Maiava (1) throws a pass during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
“(Jayden) is much improved," coach Lincoln Riley said. "He is much improved in just some of the simple pieces of communication and operating our system, which takes all quarterbacks some time to get used to.
“I think (both) are handling the reps well. We are rotating (them), playing them with different groups and putting them in different situations. Both have done a really good job thus far and certainly, going to be a fun competition to watch unfold.”
Tackling problem
The 2023 Trojans defense had a CVS receipt length of problems from scheme to players, yet the ugliest was the team's inability to tackle. Last year, the USC defense missed 176 tackles, according to Pac-12 Conference researchers.
However, under a new regime of defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, he has emphasized the importance of tackling since his first day on the job in the spring. Lynn is laying out the foundation for players to succeed, yet it's a two-way street, with players having to buy in and play with total effort every snap.
“We have been emphasizing [tackling] since the spring. And all you can really do is point it out, coach it, and then you keep on emphasizing. You coach it off the tape and out on the field, “ Lynn said.
“When they do it well, you praise them, when they don't, you correct them.”
New role for Mascarenas-Arnold
After spending three seasons at Oregon State, Easton Mascarenas-Arnold was ready for a change of scenery, transferring to USC with his brother Akili Arnold.
Easton was the heartbeat of an NFL-style Oregon State defense, leading the team with 107 total tackles. His vocal personality on the field has yet to change since joining the Trojans, carrying a similar role through the spring and training camp.
As the Mike linebacker, Easton wears the green dot helmet, being the first line of communication between the sideline and the field.
“It's a lot of pressure on your shoulder because you get the call first, but as the Mike linebacker, that is the job you signed up for,” Mascarenas-Arnold said.“It was weird at first, but I think now I’ve grown a little accustomed to it.
"Getting the call first it really makes me play faster. I can look for adjustments and look for keys from the offense.”
Big Ten physicality
Since USC joined the Big Ten a year ago, the main conversation surrounding the realignment has been about the Trojan's ability to handle the physicality.
Coming from the Pac-12, the style of West Coast football is predominantly spread out and focused on explosive play ability. Games are won and lost in the trenches heading into the Big Ten. While there are air raid offenses like Ohio State, a Big Ten team's success on the ground can be pivotal.
USC linebacker coach Matt Entz realizes the standard and expects his team to meet it.
“I have had the opportunity to play a couple of Big Ten teams in my career," Entz said. "There is a level of physicality that is elevated, and its going to be from week to week. Right now, we are being as physical as we can at the practice level.
“But that's one of those things that the standard is we need to be physical. I know our defensive line coaches, secondary coaches, and myself are all emphasizing.”