Matt Leinart USC Champion Quarterback

May 11, 1983, in Santa Ana, California, Matt Leinart achieved remarkable success as the quarterback for the University of Southern California, etching his name in college football history.  

College Career:

Matt Leinart quarterbacked the USC Trojans from 2003 to 2005, a period of unprecedented dominance for the program. Taking over the starting role in 2003, he led the Trojans to consecutive Associated Press National Championships in 2003 and 2004, the latter culminating in a Rose Bowl MVP performance. His junior season in 2004 was legendary, as he captured the Heisman Trophy, Walter Camp Award, Manning Award, and AP Player of the Year honors, earning consensus All-American recognition. A two-time Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year (2003, Co-2004) and a three-time First-team All-Pac-10 selection, Leinart guided USC to another national championship game appearance in the 2006 Rose Bowl. During his tenure under coach Pete Carroll, the Trojans posted an astounding 37-2 record. Leinart set numerous Pac-10 and USC records, including a streak of 212 consecutive completions without an interception. He threw for over 3,000 yards in three consecutive seasons and finished his career with a school-record 94.9 winning percentage and an NCAA-record 1.85 percent interception ratio. His #11 jersey was retired by USC, and he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2017.  

Road to the Pro Game:

Leinart was selected tenth overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played for the Cardinals (2006-2009), Houston Texans (2010-2011), Oakland Raiders (2012), and was briefly with the Buffalo Bills in 2013. While his professional career did not reach the heights of his collegiate success, Leinart served as a backup and occasional starter in the NFL for seven seasons.  

Football Legacy:

Matt Leinart's football legacy is primarily defined by his exceptional achievements at USC. He is remembered as one of the greatest quarterbacks in college football history, leading the Trojans to a period of sustained dominance and capturing the prestigious Heisman Trophy. His statistical records and numerous accolades at the collegiate level solidify his place among the all-time greats. While his NFL career didn't pan out as many had hoped, Leinart's impact on USC football remains indelible, and he is celebrated as a key figure in the program's rich history. He was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 2019 and the USC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.  

Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats:

✦ Heisman Trophy (2004)  

✦ 2x AP National Champion (2003, 2004)  

✦ BCS National Champion (2004 - vacated)  

✦ Walter Camp Award (2004)  

✦ Manning Award (2004)  

✦ AP Player of the Year (2004)

✦ 2x First-team All-American (2004, 2005)  

✦ 2x Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year (2003, Co-2004)  
• 3x First-team All-Pac-10 (2003-2005)  

✦ Rose Bowl MVP (2004)

✦ Orange Bowl MVP (2005)

✦ Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (2005)  

✦ College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2017)  

✦ USC #11 Jersey Retired

✦ Career NFL Stats: 33 games played, 18 starts, 366 completions, 641 attempts, 4,065 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, 21 interceptions, 70.2 passer rating.  

Sources and related content
Info courtesy of Newspapers.com and Pro-Football-Reference.com