Matt Leinart Makes Announcement After Rejecting USC's Request
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Matt Leinart had one of the best runs in college football at the USC Trojans. The 2004 Heisman Trophy winner went 37-2 as the Trojans’ starter and guided the program to back-to-back AP national championships.
He threw for 10,693 yards with one less than 100 touchdown passes while setting 16 school records. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2017. That résumé earned him one of the program’s highest honors. After his career ended, USC retired his No. 11 jersey.
But now the Trojans want it back, and Leinart isn’t having it. Speaking on his “Throwbacks” podcast, Leinart revealed USC has approached him multiple times about unretiring No. 11 for top recruits who wanted to wear it. His answer has been the same every time. And recently, he put his crystal clear final decision on the table.
He wrote, “Coach Riley hasn’t asked me if a recruit can wear my number so we can settle that right now. I’ve been asked in the past before and have said the same thing every time. This isn’t a big deal! Fight On.”
Coach Riley hasn’t asked me if a recruit can wear my number so we can settle that right now. I’ve been asked in the past before and have said the same thing every time. This isn’t a big deal! Fight On ✌️
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) March 17, 2026
However, on the podcast, he was more direct about his refusal to budge. He explained that winning the Heisman Trophy at USC comes with the “pretty cool” perk of an automatic jersey retirement, with the numbers displayed prominently in the Coliseum.
“I am never going to unretire my jersey for some random dude,” Leinart added, pointing to the instability of the current college football scenario. “By the way, now could wear number 11 and transfer after a year.”
Leinart’s refusal is actually tied to the transfer portal. He’s worried a recruit could take his legacy number and then leave the program after a single season.
While fellow Heisman winner Carson Palmer let receiver Jordan Addison wear his No. 3, Leinart won’t budge. He even said the number is “not for sale,” even if a recruit offered him $1 million from an NIL deal.
The only exception is his sons. His oldest son Cole is currently a freshman quarterback at SMU. If he or his younger brothers ever play for the Trojans, No. 11 could come back into rotation.
Until then, it stays on the Coliseum wall next to legends like Reggie Bush and Caleb Williams.
Related: USC Predicted to Receive Commitment From Elite 5-Star Recruit
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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