Looking back, it doesn’t seem like it’s been that long since Matt Leinart wore the Cardinal and gold, won the Heisman, and led USC to a national title.
But more than two decades have passed, and now the former NFL star quarterback’s son, Cole Leinart is gearing up son, Cole Leinart, is ready to begin his collegiate football career.
Highlights
- Cole Leinart announced his commitment to SMU on Wednesday through an Instagram post.
- The son of former USC national champion quarterback holds offers from UNLV, Pitt, Colorado, and Georgia State.
- Cole was born on 24 October 2006, making him 18 years old as of 2024
Matt Leinart shares Cole with former USC basketball standout player Brynn Cameron. After Cole was born, his parents had a long battle over custody and child support.
On 7 November 2024, it was announced that the Redondo Beach, California-born athlete, committed to SMU (Southern Methodist University).
“BREAKING: Class of 2026 QB Cole Leinart has Committed to SMU, he tells me for @on3recruits The 6’4 205 QB from Los Angeles, CA chose the Mustangs over Colorado, Arizona, & Utah”
Matt Leinart, who currently works as an analyst on Big Noon Kickoff for FOx Sports, also shared the news captioning,
“Proud dad”
Matt also added his congratulatory message while sharing another post saying,
“Way to go bud. Proud of you. This is just the beginning! #ponyup”
Cole Leinart Chose SMU Over Arizona, Utah, Colorado
Cole Leinart, 18, is a young quarterback with an NFL bloodline. He is currently a junior at Redondo Union High School in California. He stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs 190 pounds.
Proud Dad ❤️ @Cole__Leinart https://t.co/l3KShnLYFp
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) November 6, 2024
According to 247Sports, he is ranked as the No. 81 quarterback in the Class of 2026. He chose Southern Methodist University over several other prestigious schools, including Pittsburgh, Duke, UNLV, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado.
Cole and cornerback Victor Lincoln are among the first two players to commit to the Mustangs.
Cole began his high school career at Mater Dei High School in California, a powerhouse for football talent.
The talented quarterback later transferred to Newport Harbor and then to Redondo Union High School.
As a junior at Redondo Union, Cole has completed 55% of his passes for 732 yards and nine touchdowns. He has also accounted for two touchdowns on the ground.
As per USA Today, Cole has played in six games this season. He was sidelined for four games due to California Interscholastic Federation transfer rules.
In an interview with Steve Wiltfong of On3, Cole Leinart revealed that he chose SMU because of coach Rhett Lashlee and the program’s culture.
“Just the culture with what Coach Lashlee is building. I love the staff and everyone around the program. It feels like a family.”
Cole Leinart
Additional Information
- Cole Leinart has not shared anything related to his love life and doesn’t seem to have a girlfriend at the time of this writing.
- Cole has two half-sibling, Cayson and Cannon, from his father’s marriage to Josie Loren.
- Cole also has two half-siblings, Ford and Carter Griffin, from his mother’s side.
- Cole has also played basketball during his high school years.
