After a breakout 2025 campaign and strong buzz coming out of USC's spring training back, USC Trojans star quarterback Jayden Maiava looked like one of the rising names in college football. But ESPN analyst Jordan Reid 's early 2027 NFL Draft prediction told a very different story. Despite projecting all 32 first-round picks, Maiava was nowhere to be found, a surprising omission that immediately raises questions about whether returning to USC instead of entering the 2026 draft was the right move. For a quarterback tied to coach Lincoln Riley’s track record and coming off one of the most productive seasons in the country, the absence isn’t just notable, it’s a reality check. The hype is there, but NFL evaluators aren’t fully sold yet. Jayden Maiava Faces Uphill Battle on Draft Boards Dec 30, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) throws the ball against the TCU Horned Frogs in the first half during the Alamo Bowl at Alamodome.…