High school football: Cole Leinart, son of former Heisman Trophy winner, commits to SMU

By Staff Report Nov 6, 2024, 3:00pm

Junior quarterback has thrown nine touchdown passes in six games this season since becoming eligible at Redondo Union.

SMU is currently 8-1, ranked No. 13 in this week's Associated Press Top 25 and in the conversation for a spot in the College Football Playoffs. The Mustangs got more good news Wednesday when junior quarterback Cole Leinart of Redondo Union (Redondo Beach, Calif.) made a verbal commitment to the program.

Leinart is the son of former USC star and NFL signal caller Matt Leinart, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2004.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Leinart has played in six games this season since becoming eligible following a transfer, throwing for 732 yards and nine touchdowns. He has also rushed for 136 yards and a pair of scores.
Leinart began his career at national powerhouse Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) – his father's alma mater – before moving on to Newport Harbor (Newport Beach) and then Redondo Union. The Sea Hawks are 8-2 this season and will host Aquinas (San Bernardino) on Friday in the Southern Section Division 4 playoffs.

Following his storied career at USC, Matt Leinart spent six seasons in the NFL with Arizona, Houston and Oakland. He is now a college football analyst for FOX Sports.