The college football transfer portal provided some pregame fireworks just minutes before the National Championship Game. Without an SEC representative in the title picture, the conference refused to be held from the news of the day.
Former UNLV Rebels QB Jayden Maiava announced his intentions to transfer to the Georgia Bulldogs in a bombshell move.
Jayden Maiava Transfers to Georgia
In what could only be seen as a bit of a puzzling move on the surface, Maiava made the decision to transfer to Athens despite heavy interest from USC and what one could only assume was a plethora of other top-tier programs.
The draw of the ‘Dawgs was ultimately too much, it appears, and Maiava is set to join a quarterback room at Georgia that returns their starter from a season ago, Carson Beck.
Maiava enters the fray, presumably behind Beck, who led the Bulldogs to a 13-1 record in 2023. The former UNLV QB was thrust into the lineup with the Rebels as a true freshman and soared to great success in offensive coordinator Brennan Marion’s offense.
He earned Freshman All-American Honors from us at CFN and turned heads with his elite-level play at nearly every turn. So why would Maiava turn down a presumptive role as a starter with what could have been imagined as a handful of Power Five teams interested in him?
Why Georgia Makes Sense for Maiava
If you want to compete at the highest level, Georgia’s the team. If you want to compete for national championships, Georgia’s the team. If you want to test yourself against the best competition in the country and put yourself on the map for the NFL, Georgia’s the team.
It’s simple, really, when you break it down. Maiava can compete against top-tier competition day in and day out. He can also put himself in a great position to be looked at as a potential NFL Draft pick when that time comes.
MORE: College Football Transfer Portal Tracker
Another — and perhaps the biggest — reason is that Maiava also now gets the luxury of learning. He was thrust into the lineup at UNLV and despite his high-level of play he performed at with the Rebels, he was still a true freshman who entered the picture in Las Vegas as the presumptive long-term answer, not the right now solution.
As a true sophomore, Maiava may have made this decision to do just that: sit out and learn. And who better to learn from the Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs’ staff?
What Georgia Gets in Maiava
It’s no surprise that Maiava drew a ton of interest from a slew of marquee programs. Despite a heavy push from USC, it was the ‘Dawgs who now get to unleash his incredible talent. And Maiava has plenty of talent to unleash.
At his best, Maiava is a dynamic and accurate deep passer. He showcased an ability to drive the football through tight windows with great anticipation while elevating the players around him.
Maiava was able to rebuild collapsing pockets with a poise that was beyond his years. When it came down to it, Maiava’s arm talent was what shined the brightest at every turn.
A bonafide dual-threat, Maiava still maintains proper vision downfield and will look to pass first despite great athleticism. Standing tall, there isn’t a level of the field Maiava can’t hit and not a throw he can’t make.
The Bulldogs almost certainly threw the house at Maiava, but rest assured, Georgia fans, it’s for good reason.
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