Matt Leinart is one of the greatest college quarterbacks of the 21st century. The sensational southpaw led Southern California to two National Championships and a third appearance in one of the greatest games in the sport’s history in January 2006. All of that to say we’re all getting old, because Leinart’s son announced his commitment to a college program on Wednesday.
Cole Leinart will attend Southern Methodist University. The SMU Mustangs, riding high in the Atlantic Coast Conference right now, are teed up to bring the 2004 Heisman winner’s son to Dallas in 2026.
“Class of 2026 QB Cole Leinart has Committed to SMU,” Hayes Fawcett wrote on X.
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
Is the son of former USC QB & Heisman Trophy Winner Matt Leinarthttps://t.co/UgoRyM6xKA pic.twitter.com/5FEIEZcamB
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) November 6, 2024
Fawcett noted that Leinart held offers from Arizona, Colorado, and Utah among others. So three Big 12 schools miss out on Leinart, who’s decided Dallas as his destination.
Cole is poised to join an energized SMU team. The Mustangs are second in the ACC behind Miami with a 5-1 conference record and an 8-1 mark on the year. They’ve surprised many and they’re currently paying just to be in the ACC this season. They might be poised to make the ACC Championship Game now. It’s a turn of fortune for a program that was once one of college football’s best. But of course, scandal destroyed the program for several decades. Now though, they’re on the up and up. And here comes Cole Leinart now.
His father, Matt, offered a kind message to his son.
Proud Dad ❤️ @Cole__Leinart https://t.co/l3KShnLYFp
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) November 6, 2024
Others around the CFB world made note of this huge news.
This is awesome man. Remember videos from @MattLeinartQB years ago on Cole!! Congrats @Cole__Leinart https://t.co/oJbzRAXVtT
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) November 6, 2024
This is BIG time ! I think I finally found my new fav college football team. Congrats @Cole__Leinart #SMU https://t.co/O8NaSHJpcg
— Jerry Ferrara (@jerryferrara) November 6, 2024
Proud of you @Cole__Leinart Just the beginning! Great School, Staff, and City to be apart of! #ponyup https://t.co/OBlXssf8HM
— Colby Cameron (@ColbyCameronBA) November 6, 2024
Like father, like son ♥️🏈🔥
Congratulations @Cole__Leinart on your commitment to @SMUFB 🐎💪 pic.twitter.com/I54K2r9Sn4
— Big Noon Kickoff (@BNKonFOX) November 6, 2024
