Matthew Stephen Leinart

Inducted: 2017

DOB: 5/11/1983

Birthplace: Santa Ana, CA

BIO

One of the greatest quarterbacks in college football history, Matt Leinart won the 2004 Heisman Trophy while guiding USC to consecutive national championships. A two-time First Team All-America, Leinart earned consensus honors in 2004 when he claimed the Heisman, Walter Camp Award, Manning Award and AP Player of the Year honors. The two-time Pac-10 Player of the Year led the Trojans to consecutive AP national titles after wins in the 2004 Rose Bowl, where he earned MVP honors, and the 2005 Orange Bowl. In 2005, Leinart finished third for the Heisman and led USC to a national championship game appearance in the 2006 Rose Bowl. Losing just two games in three years (37-2), he set Pac-10 records for career (99) and single-season (38) touchdowns, career completion percentage (64.8) and consecutive passes without an interception (212). A three-time All-Pac-10 selection, Leinart twice led the conference in passing efficiency while guiding the Trojans to three-straight Pac-10 titles. He is only the fourth player and second quarterback to twice win Pac-10 Player of the Year honors. The two-time team captain boasts a school-record three 3,000-yard passing seasons and set 12 other USC records by career’s end. Currently ranked third in school history with 10,693 passing yards, Leinart’s 1.85 percent interception ratio was an NCAA-record, and his 94.9 winning percentage was a school record and second-best in NCAA history. The 2003 USC Team MVP finished sixth in that season’s Heisman Trophy balloting. Leinart was selected 10th overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2006 NFL Draft, playing for the Cardinals, Houston Texans, Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills during his career. Leinart’s jersey was retired by the Trojans and he was inducted into the USC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007. He maintains a strong interest in charitable endeavors, operating the Matt Leinart Foundation, which aims to create athletic opportunities for underprivileged youth.

Schools:

University of Southern California
(2002-2005)

Stats