Huge Boost For The USC Trojans, Lincoln Riley Announce Major News On Jayden Maiava & five-star recruit Husan
On April 12, it was announced that Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava will not return to the team in 2025. He plans to enter the transfer portal following a dispute related to name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. With the transfer portal set to open on April 16, Iamaleava is being connected to several schools on the West Coast.
Initially, the USC Trojans were among the teams mentioned in relation to Iamaleava, but reports indicate that they are not pursuing the top quarterback. According to John Brice from The Football Scoop, despite the initial links to USC, the Trojans do not have any interest in adding the former five-star recruit. Additionally, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are another team that isn’t considering Iamaleava.
c
Initially, reports indicated that Iamaleava and Tennessee were engaged in contract negotiations, as the quarterback was looking for a salary increase. The former five-star recruit signed an NIL deal worth approximately $ 8 million for his college career when he graduated high school.
Although this was a significant agreement at the time, the evolving landscape of NIL in college football has prompted Iamaleava to seek an even higher amount. It is reported that he was expected to earn around 2.2millionthisseason,butheaimedforabout 4 million instead.
Iamaleava’s absence from practice on Friday surprised the coaching staff, and on Saturday, it was reported that his tenure with the Volunteers has come to an end.
As usual, @mzenitz is all over. IMPORTANT TO NOTE HERE: Am told EMPHATICALLY that neither Notre Dame nor USC has any interest whatsoever in Nico. https://t.co/QFAksod4A4
— John Brice (@JohnDBrice1) April 12, 2025
In 2024, Iamaleava completed 213 passes for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns, throwing only five interceptions and achieving a completion percentage of 63.8. He is expected to be a prominent name in the transfer portal, but teams will need to be prepared to offer significant compensation for the former five-star prospect.
As the portal opening approaches, USC coach Lincoln Riley discussed the Trojans’ strategy.
“I don’t anticipate us being extremely active in that process. My instinct is that we’ll focus on a few specific positions, and if we find someone who fits well, we may go after them,” Riley remarked during spring practices.
The USC Trojans are set to begin the season with Jayden Maiava as the anticipated starting quarterback, while incoming five-star recruit Husan Longstreet will serve as the backup, poised to take over in 2026.
Maiava, now in his second year under Riley’s system, started the last four games for USC, including their victory in the Las Vegas Bowl. In 2024, he threw for 1,201 yards, completed 11 touchdown passes, and had six interceptions, achieving a completion percentage of 63.8. Additionally, he rushed for four touchdowns.
Husan Longstreet, a five-star recruit from the 2025 class, is joining USC as the No. 21 overall recruit, the fourth-ranked quarterback, and the second-best player from California, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. He is anticipated to be the Trojans’ future quarterback, making it less likely that they will pursue Iamaleava or any major quarterback prospects through the transfer portal.
USC is also well-positioned at quarterback through the 2026 class, having recruited four-star quarterback Jonas Williams, who is expected to succeed Longstreet in a few seasons. Williams ranks as the No. 88 recruit nationally, the ninth-best quarterback, and the top player from Illinois, according to On3.
While USC is not expected to aggressively pursue Iamaleava, they may still seek to add players to strengthen their offensive line.
No Comment! Be the first one.