Overview
- Leinart said on his Throwbacks podcast that USC officials have asked multiple times to unretire his No. 11 for five-star prospects, and he has refused.
- He reiterated his stance with an expletive-laced rejection, emphasizing concerns that a recruit could transfer after a year.
- The only exception he allows is for his sons, including Cole Leinart, who is currently at SMU, with no consideration for other players.
- Leinart stated the jersey is not for sale and said he would decline any payment tied to NIL to bring the number back onto the field.
- He posted on X that head coach Lincoln Riley did not make the requests, as coverage noted USC’s Heisman-number tradition and Carson Palmer’s prior exception for Jordan Addison.