QB Leinart, boy of ex-USC star Matt, picks SMU

Eli Lederman, ESPN Personnel WriterNov 6, 2024, 05:01 PM ET Close

Eli Lederman covers college football and recruiting for ESPN.com. He joined ESPN in 2024 after covering the University of Oklahoma for Sellout Crowd and the Tulsa World.California high school quarterback

prospect Cole Leinart, the kid of previous USC star and Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart, dedicated to SMU on Wednesday.Leinart, a 6-foot-3 right-hander, is a junior at California’s Redondo Union High School. Not presently ranked by ESPN, he held several Power 4 deals and selected the Mustangs over Colorado, Arizona and Utah to become the 2nd member of coach Rhett Lashlee’s 2026 class.”The culture they’re constructing at SMU– I just want to belong of it,”Leinart informed ESPN.

“I like the training personnel. They’re literally like household now. I just wish to belong to what they have there. “Way to go bud. Pleased with you. This is simply the beginning! #ponyup https://t.co/AsU9pXiltl!.?.!— Matt Leinart(@MattLeinartQB)November 6, 2024 Leinart’s dedication landed Wednesday, nearly 19 years considering that his dad closed a legendary playing career at USC.Matt Leinart was a three-time All-American with the Trojans from 2001 to 2005, carrying a record of 37-2 across 3 seasons as a starter during which USC won back-to-back nationwide titles(2003 and 2004).

Leinart set 16 program records over the course of his college profession and ended up being the Trojans’ 6th Heisman Prize winner in 2004. He went on to invest six seasons in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans and Oakland Raiders.The younger Leinart now signs up with cornerback Victor Lincoln(Lancaster, Texas )as the second prospect devoted to SMU in 2026. In the 2025 cycle, the Mustangs hold a quarterback promise from four-star dual-threat passer Ty Hawkins, who flipped from TCU in

July. Hawkins is among 3 ESPN 300 potential customers devoted to SMU’s 2025 class, which sits at No. 28 in the most recent team rankings for the cycle.Leinart began his high school profession at California power Mater Dei High School before moving to Newport Harbor last fall. Leinart then moved to Redondo Union prior to his junior season this fall, and he made his debut on Sept. 27 after being sidelined for four games due to California Interscholastic Federation transfer guidelines. Leinart and Redondo Union will open the 2024 postseason today against California’s Aquinas High School.SMU was the very first program to seriously pursue Leinart when the Mustangs offered him a scholarship under previous coach Sonny Dykes prior to Leinart’s freshman year of high school. Dykes carried on to TCU soon afterwards, however Leinart stayed in touch with the Mustangs and quickly established a close relationship with Lashlee, SMU’s third-year coach.Editor’s Picks 2 Related Leinart

‘s commitment to the Mustangs comes days after he visited SMU and participated in the team’s 48-25 win over Pitt on Saturday.”They have actually been No. 1 for a long time, and after that I went out to a game this past weekend, “Leinart stated.”It was amazing to see. The offense is open. The defense is lights out. And it’s simply a fun team.

The entire ambiance is just

amazing. I

‘m happy to be a part of it. “For Leinart, who initially followed in his dad’s footsteps at Mater Dei, college football represents an opportunity to continue a household tradition in the sport.”Everyone sees the last name, however they do not actually see the work that my moms and dads put in for me to get to this location,”Leinart stated. “This isn’t just me. This is whatever. I get to bring the custom and play football, and I believe they enjoy for me.”SMU(8-1)was picked at No. 13 in the first rankings launched by the College Football Playoff choice committee Tuesday. The Mustangs are off in Week 11 ahead of a go to from Boston College on Nov. 16.