Matt Leinart Suits Up Again in Cardinal and Gold
Former USC quarterback Matt Leinart went 3-0 against UCLA during his career as a Trojan, throwing for 764 yards and five touchdowns. His final game against the Bruins came on December 3, 2005, but it looks like the Heisman Winner might be ready to get back out there again this weekend.
Leinart visited USC and managed to work his way back into his retired No. 11 jersey out on the Trojans’ practice field. The former quarterback has been extremely vocal in his support of Lincoln Riley and the job he’s doing at USC.
Leinart jokingly referred to himself as “an old, washed-up bum now.” Leinart might not have the best eye for talent. That guy he called a bum threw for 10,693 yards and set a then-Pac-12 record with 99 career touchdown passes.
He went 37-2 as a starter with the Trojans, winning two national championships and a Heisman Trophy in the process. He and Carson Palmer are regarded as USC’s two best quarterbacks of all time (though they might have company soon with the guy who actually will take snaps for USC on Saturday).
Leinart’s No. 11 jersey is retired at USC and hasn’t been worn by another player since that 2005 season.
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It’s interesting to play the What-if scenario with Leinart. He was in a tight, three-way battle at quarterback alongside Matt Cassel and Brandon Hance to replace Palmer. Many in the media believed Cassel would get the nod. But then-head coach Pete Carroll went with Leinart and the USC dynasty roared.
Leinart and the Hall of Goats
Leinart has become a major player in the NIL space. He and former USC receiver Greig Carlson partnered to form Hall of GOATs. The group also brought in USC quarterback Caleb Williams as part of the leadership team.
The initial NFT-based plan pivoted into a blockchain, arcade-style college football video game, with the featured players earning compensation. A number of other players have signed on. That group includes Braelon Allen, Deuce Vaughn, LenDale White, Vince Young, Xavier Worthy and Zach Evans.
The game has a 2024 release date. Hall of GOATs unveiled a trailer recently.
