Bank On It: Leinart Is Primed for a 3rd Title

More than six months have passed since Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart passed up a chance to earn instant millions in the NFL and announced he was returning to USC for his final season of eligibility.

“You ever think about the $10 million?” Leinart was asked Tuesday in reference to some of the money he presumably left on the table when he decided to come back and try to lead the Trojans to an unprecedented third consecutive national title.

“About 10 million times,” joked USC Coach Pete Carroll, who was seated at his quarterback’s side before a room full of reporters during the Pacific 10 Conference’s annual media day.

After the laughter subsided, the tanned and bearded Leinart acknowledged that the $49.5-million contract quarterback Alex Smith received from the San Francisco 49ers as the top pick in the draft caught his eye.

“That was a pretty cool number,” Leinart said. “I have no complaints about how I’m living right now, so I’m happy. No regrets on coming back.”

Leinart paused. Then he grinned, and added with perfect timing, “But it would be nice, you know, to have that kind of money.”

Leinart appears content with helping the Trojans make their run at history. The fifth-year senior from Santa Ana could make some history of his own if he joins former Ohio State running back Archie Griffin as the only players to win the Heisman twice.

Leinart and the Trojans begin their quests today when they report to campus for meetings and the start of training camp. Practice begins Thursday for the Sept. 3 opener at Hawaii.

“I can’t wait to get started,” said Leinart, who spent more than four hours Tuesday fielding questions as easily as he picked apart Oklahoma in the bowl championship series title game.

It has been an eventful off-season for Leinart, a left-hander who is 25-1 as a starter and has helped engineer a 22-game winning streak.

In January, he had surgery on his left elbow to alleviate tendinitis that had plagued him since the second half of the 2003 season and prevented him from throwing at all last summer.

Leinart did not participate in drills during spring practice but observed and sometimes even called plays while shadowing backup quarterbacks. He also worked with USC strength coaches and a training specialist to work through a hernia that affected his mobility during the second half of last season.

Leinart started throwing passes again in late May and worked out with teammates throughout June and July. He also grew the beard that he plans to shave during training camp.

“I’ve never been able to grow one this thick,” he said, “so that’s why I’m keeping it as long as I can.”

Leinart’s calendar off the field was full of appearances, magazine photo shoots and rubbing elbows with celebrities at awards shows.

“I’m living like an NFL player right now in the college life in L.A.,” Leinart said. “A lot of it, that lifestyle, is not really me, but I do have fun.”

Leinart, however, said his most memorable off-season events occurred far from the lenses of paparazzi.

Leinart delivered the keynote address in Long Beach during the Special Olympics, a program he said he had particular fondness for because his mother, Linda, works at a school that serves special-education students.

He also participated in a rewarding round-table discussion with at-risk youths in Santa Ana.

“You look at these kids and they just feel like nothing’s going for them, but I think at the end of the day, I think I put a little hope in their heads,” he said.

Leinart is confident that the Trojans can return to the BCS title game, which will be played in the Rose Bowl. He will lead an offense that includes a deep and talented line, Heisman finalist Reggie Bush and LenDale White at running back and receivers Steve Smith and Dwayne Jarrett.

Oregon State Coach Mike Riley said he was not unhappy that his team would miss facing Leinart and the Trojans this season. Conference teams will play all opponents starting in 2006.

“There’s nothing like experience at that position, and Matt is really good anyway,” Riley said. “You add that experience of going through the last couple of seasons, particularly last season -- you can’t put a price on that.”

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After an alleged off-the-field incident that occurred during training camp last season, USC players will be housed on campus in dormitories as they prepare for the season opener. Last August, the Los Angeles Police Department began a sexual assault investigation that involved at least one Trojan player after a woman alleged that an incident took place in the apartment complex across the street from campus where the Trojans stayed during training camp. No arrests were made. “I wanted to put us in a situation that was the most secure situation on campus,” Carroll said of the move. “I want to make sure we can manage it really well, and I think it’s a good positive step for us. It’s an easier situation to control.” ... Carroll said receiver Whitney Lewis, who was academically ineligible last season, is expected to be cleared to participate after completing a summer class.... Tight end Dominique Byrd and fullback Brandon Hancock will be limited in the early part of training camp while finishing recuperation from arthroscopic knee surgeries, Carroll said.... Freshman offensive lineman Thomas Herring could sit out the season because of a knee problem that might require surgery, Carroll said.... Incoming freshman defensive lineman Walker Lee Ashley, who was expected to help fill the void left by the departure of All-American tackles Shaun Cody and Mike Patterson, has not been cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse, Carroll said.... Quarterback Michael McDonald, a walk-on the last two seasons, has been awarded a scholarship.... Running back Chauncey Washington, who is academically ineligible for the second consecutive season, will continue to attend USC with hopes of playing in 2006, Carroll said.