Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs land one of the Transfer Portal’s top quarterback prospects.
For former UNLV quarterback Jayden Maiava, it came down to Georgia and USC. With three years left on his eligibility, the gifted passer chose the Bulldogs, announcing his transfer on Monday to begin his next collegiate football journey in Athens.
On Tuesday, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Maiava will return to campus to start his career as a member of the SEC’s top team.
“They’re at the top,” Maiava said in an interview set up by his agency, NILX Management Group, with 247Sports. “I wanted to share my skills and talents there and compete against the best.”
After throwing for 3,085 yards and 17 touchdowns as a red-shirt freshman, Maiava helped UNLV reach the Mountain West Conference Title Game. He gives Barry Odom and his team credit for assisting him in preparing to enter the SEC.
Maiava praised Odom and company for “just the great coaching staff they brought in and the competitiveness and tough mindset they bring,” adding, “I just wanted to go compete at the highest level.”
Though choosing between the Bulldogs and Trojans was difficult, he was drawn to Georgia’s culture.
Maiava remarked, “Just how family-oriented, how the coaches are so close to each other.”
This spring, Maiava will challenge Carson Beck, the starter quarterback who is back.
Maiava remarked, “I just think it’s a great opportunity to learn from Carson Beck.” In his debut season as a starter, Beck passed for 3,941 yards and 24 touchdowns, culminating in a 13-1 record and an Orange Bowl victory.
“What an amazing quarterback he is.” He’s accomplished a lot this past season, and I think I have a lot of opportunities to learn from him.
Ultimately, Maiava made her choice by letting the best drive her.
“The opportunity, the competition, and the constant improvement,” he remarked. “Just the competition I plan to confront there.”
Maiava is eager to work with offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and head coach Kirby Smart.
Maiava remarked, “They’re just really close with each other.” Extremely close. They make excellent coaches. I have to study under the best if I want to be the best.
As a three-star prospect out of Henderson, Nevada’s Liberty High School, Maiava signed with the Rebels and red-shirted during his true freshman season in 2022. In 2021, he guided the Patriots to the state title game while throwing for 24 touchdowns and 2,027 yards.
Georgia is bolstering its roster with the No. 14 transfer portal class and the No. 1 high school recruiting class according to 247Sports. London Humphreys, a former Vanderbilt receiver, and Trevor Etienne, a former Florida running back, are among the exciting additions to the transfer portal.
Maiava is ranked No. 18 among quarterbacks and No. 120 overall by 247Sports, citing the Transfer Portal.
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