It came down to Georgia and USC for former UNLV quarterback Jayden Maiava, and the talented passer with three years of eligibility remaining opted for the Bulldogs. He announced his transfer Monday to play the next chapter of his college football career in Athens.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Maiava will be back on campus Tuesday as he begins his career as part of the SEC powerhouse.
“They’re at the top,” Maiava told 247Sports during an interview setup through his agency NILX Management Group. “I wanted to compete with the best and be able to share my skills and talents there.”
Maiava is coming off a terrific redshirt freshman season in which he threw for 3,085 yards and 17 touchdowns while leading UNLV to a Mountain West Championship Game appearance. He credits Barry Odom and his staff for helping him get ready to make the jump to the SEC.
“Just the great coaching staff they brought in and the competitiveness and tough mindset they bring,” Maiava said of Odom and company. “I just wanted to go compete at the highest level.”
It was a tough decision between the Bulldogs and Trojans, but the culture at Georgia stuck out to him.
“Just how family-oriented, how the coaches are so close to each other,” Maiava said.
Maiava is coming to push returning starting quarterback Carson Beck this coming spring.
“I just think it’s a great opportunity to learn from Carson Beck,” Maiava said.
Beck threw for 3,941 yards and 24 scores in his first year as a starter, a campaign that ended with a 13-1 record and Orange Bowl win.
“He’s such a great quarterback,” Maiava said. “He’s done a lot of great things this past season and I feel it’s a great opportunity for me to learn under him.”
Maiava’s decision came down to getting pushed by the best.
“Just the opportunity and the competition that there is and just getting better,” he said. “Just the competition I’m going to go up there and face.”
Maiava is excited to get to work under head coach Kirby Smart and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo.
“They’re just really close with each other,” Maiava said. “Real tight. They’re great coaches. If I want to be the best I have to learn from the best.”
Maiava redshirted during his true freshman season in 2022 after signing with the Rebels as a three-star prospect from Henderson (Nev.) Liberty. He led the Patriots to the state championship game in 2021 and threw for 2,027 yards and 24 touchdowns in the process.
