Former USC quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart has made it clear that he will never unretire his No. 11 jersey for any recruit, even if it means turning down financial incentives or allowing a high-profile player to wear the number. Leinart shared his stance during a recent episode of his podcast, Throwbacks, with co-host Jerry Ferrara.

Stance on Unretiring the Jersey

Leinart, who led USC to consecutive national championships in 2003 and 2004, was asked multiple times by USC officials whether he would consider unretiring his jersey for a five-star recruit. His response was unequivocal: ‘Absolutely f— not.’ He emphasized that he would never allow the number to be worn by a ‘random dude’ who could potentially transfer after a year.

‘I am never going to unretire my jersey for some random dude, who by the way, now could wear No. 11 and transfer after a year,’ Leinart said. He added that the only people who would ever wear the No. 11 jersey at USC would be his eldest son, Cole, or his other sons, if they were to play for the Trojans.

Leinart recounted a specific instance when his son, Cole, asked him if he would allow a high-level linebacker recruit to wear the No. 11 jersey at USC. Leinart’s response was as firm as ever: ‘For a linebacker? This ain’t Lavar Arrington at Penn State wearing the sticks. Absolutely not.’

Legacy and the Significance of the Number

Leinart’s No. 11 jersey was retired by USC in recognition of his achievements, including winning the Heisman Trophy in 2004 and finishing his college career with 10,693 passing yards, the third-highest total in school history. The number has not been worn since his time at USC, and the school only retires the jerseys of Heisman Trophy winners.

Despite requests from USC officials, Leinart has not wavered in his position. When asked if he would consider unretiring the number for a substantial sum of money, such as $1 million, Leinart was resolute. ‘You’re gonna tell me I’m gonna take a million dollars from an 18-year-old kid? No. It’s not for sale. It’s not for sale.’

Leinart’s stance is not without precedent. Former USC quarterback Carson Palmer allowed Jordan Addison, a transfer from Pitt in 2022, to wear his retired No. 3 jersey. However, Leinart has made it clear that he will not follow the same path, even if it means forgoing potential financial gain or athletic opportunities.

Broader Implications for College Football

Leinart’s decision highlights the growing debate around the retirement of jersey numbers in college football. While some schools have policies that allow retired numbers to be worn by future players, others, like USC, have strict rules that only allow the numbers of Heisman Trophy winners to be retired.

The issue of retired numbers is not unique to USC. In other sports, such as Major League Baseball, the New York Yankees have retired so many numbers that they have no single-digit numbers left available. However, USC still has over 90 numbers available for use, giving it more flexibility than some other institutions.

Despite the availability of other numbers, Leinart has made it clear that he will not compromise on his stance. ‘That kid, probably the chance of him staying at USC after two years, is slim anyway. So it ain’t happening, bro. I’m keeping that up there forever. You can call me selfish. I don’t give a s—.’

Leinart’s firm position has been confirmed by multiple sources, including a recent post on X where he stated that USC coach Lincoln Riley had never asked him about unretiring the number. This further reinforces his refusal to consider any such requests.

With Leinart’s legacy firmly established and his stance on the No. 11 jersey clear, it is unlikely that the number will ever be worn by another player at USC. The decision not only highlights his personal connection to the number but also highlights the importance of legacy in college football.