Trojans’ trend of dynamic quarterbacks not going away any time soon
USC Trojans coach Lincoln Riley was ahead of everyone when it comes to coaching quarterbacks.
It’s no different now than when he was roaming the sidelines coaching Oklahoma with Heisman winners Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray.
Nowadays out West, Riley is looking to reestablish USC among the nation’s elite programs and it appears the rebound is starting to take shape after some down years.
The proud Trojans program is 29-14 under his watch, but 2-0 in the early stages of 2025 in a season with much to prove.
With veteran quarterback Jayden Maiava torching opponents to a tune of 721 total yards and seven touchdowns, he is just the latest dual threat passer to put up numbers in Riley’s friendly system.
While Riley hasn’t particularly targeted pocket passers, the trend will probably continue as he mentioned on the CBS Sports College Football Show with Danny Kannel.
“I think it’s going to continue to get more and more rare,” Riley said. “I think a guy is going to have to be so good from the pocket to justify not having somebody that can move, or at least be a threat to the defense. The margin for error for those guys is just so different.”
Margin for error is certainly something he knows well as strictly pocket passers are considered one dimensional and limit how dynamic offenses can truly be without a quality rushing attack.
With the popularity of NFL offenses at Arizona, Green Bay, Tampa Bay and Buffalo, the league has transformed with the times while welcoming athletes in the backfield.
“The game at our level has changed. The game at the NFL level has changed a lot, especially with the amount of time those guys have with their players,” Riley said. “I do think you’re going to continue to see more athletic guys.”
Every year, high schools across the country produce quarterback talent at a high level with Faizon Brandon (Tennessee), Keisean Henderson (Houston) and Dia Bell (Texas).
For USC, Riley has targeted 4-star quarterback Jonas Williams (6-foot-1.5, 215 pounds) as the likely heir apparent once Maiava’s days are over in Los Angeles.
As a junior, Williams completed 194-of-286 passes for 2,926 yards with 42 TD and six interceptions. He added 395 rushing yards and seven more scores
on the ground.
“We certainly look to recruit guys that have some athleticism. I never want it to be the first thing that they do,” Riley said. “I definitely want to have that tool at our disposal.”