Jayden Maiava, QB, USC
The biggest name this weekend will no doubt be Jayden Maiava with USC. It’ll be his third season with the program, and this is the year many believe Maiava can fully break out.
In 2025, Maiava threw for 3,711 yards, 24 toucdhowns to 10 interceptions. He has NFL size, at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, and his biggest trait is avoiding sacks. His pressure-to-sack rate was 8.2 percent, ranking eighth among quarterbacks last season (minimum 200 dropbacks). Not taking sacks seems easier said than done, but it’s a trait many college quarterbacks struggle with; Maiava seems to have it down.
With the ability to avoid pressure, Maiava also had a good enough arm to make throws all over the field, making him an intriguing prospect. The main issues with his game are the turnovers and keeping his eyes active across the field. If he can improve upon both those aspects, he should get plenty of NFL attention in the spring.
CJ Bailey, QB, NC State
CJ Bailey’s size is the driving factor behind why NFL scouts are excited to see what 2026 has in store for him. Bailey is 6-foot-6 and 190 pounds, packing a more lengthy frame at quarterback. He’s been with NC State for his entire college career, with 2025 being his first full year starting. In 2025, he threw for 3,105 yards and 25 touchdowns, with nine interceptions.
Bailey has shown NFL-level playmaking outside of the pocket. He does a great job keeping his eyes downfield, scanning for potential options outside the pocket. He can push the ball downfield with his accuracy, and it shows in his stats. Bailey had 27 big-time throws last season with NC State, and the offense thrived when he was on his game.
Every quarterback has areas to improve upon, and Bailey’s is short-area accuracy. He does a great job scanning the field, pushing the ball downfield, and knowing when to use his legs. Bailey has to get more consistent with his feet and the ability to hit underneath routes on time and accurately.
Alani Noa, OG, USC
Alani Noa has been with USC his entire college career since 2023. He’s seen playtime in each season, starting over 22 games with the Trojans. At 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds, Noa played right guard for the Trojans last season and gave up one sack with 13 total quarterback pressures.
Noa’s lower half is very quick to get off the ball and knows how to get to his spots. Efficiently pulls and maintains a wide base in his pass pro sets. He struggles with agility and his overall range as a guard. Still, there’s plenty to like within his game, and 2026 could solidify his draft status in a weaker interior offensive line class.
Terrell Anderson, WR, USC
USC needed to replenish its wide receiver room after losing Ja’Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon to the NFL draft. They landed NC State transfer Terrell Anderson, who had 39 receptions, 629 yards and five toucdhowns with the Wolfpack last season.
Anderson is 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, and showed flashes of being a true No. 1 receiver at times with NC State. He started just five games for NC State last season and almost put up 700 receiving yards. Now in an offense led by Lincoln Riley, he has a chance to explode in 2026.
The ball-tracking ability and skill set to beat the press are what make Anderson stand out. He’s a unique player and one of my early sleepers for this 2026 draft cycle.
Duce Robinson, WR, Florida State
It all seemed to click for Duce Robinson last season with Florida State. He spent his first two seasons with USC, putting up 747 receiving yards. In 2025, with Florida State, he had 1,081 receiving yards on 56 receptions and six toucdhowns. Robinson’s size stands out at 6-foot-6 and 223 pounds.
Robinson’s biggest strengths are making contested catches, as he had 18 last season for the Seminoles. A big reason he was able to make those catches is his hand-eye coordination to track the ball down the field; it’s something you want to see out of bigger receivers, and Robinson can do it.
With any bigger receiver, short-area movement and hip fluidity are the main concerns. Robinson has strong hands and knows how to battle through contact. But he relies on that size to overpower corners, which isn’t bad, but in the NFL that won’t fly as much. Speed and route-running will be key areas scouts will watch in his 2026 game.
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