The San Francisco 49ers lose again. If losing 14 games, a head coach, and a general manager was not enough, the Niners have now learned that they will lose the chance to draft USC quarterback Matt Leinart because the Heisman winning QB will return to play for the Trojans next year. While Leinart’s decision to return to Southern Cal for his senior year might come as a surprising choice, it also happens to be a satisfying choice, especially to the Trojan faithful. Opting to turn down the NFL and the opportunity to be the overall number one pick in the upcoming draft must have been an arduous decision.
But it was a good decision. The right decision.
There are a multitude of reasons why Matt Leinart could have left USC. If he had made the popular choice and chosen the NFL and its millions, his career would have still been a successful one. The 6-foot-5, 225 pound southpaw has only lost one game as a starter compared to his 25 wins. He has thrown only 15 interceptions to his 6,878 yards, which include 71 touchdown passes. He has helped USC win back to back national titles along with leading the men of Troy to the nation’s longest winning streak of 22 games. He has also earned himself a Heisman Trophy. His work at quarterback with the Trojans has already been an unquestionable success. Now, with the advent of his senior year approaching, it is easy to see without looking too far that Leinart’s ultimate choice to play one more year of college football is his greatest success.
It has become a rarity in college sports for an athlete to remain in school for his entire eligibility. There are just too many external circumstances that can compel a young 20 year-old to leave school early. There is the certainty of millions, the chance at ringing endorsements, and of course, all the fame of being a professional football player. Leinart has tossed all this aside just so he can play one more year of college ball. Why? Because he wants to grow and become more mature, not only as a quarterback but also as an individual. This type of mentality deserves much credit. It is uncommon and it is priceless.
His decision to stay at USC goes against all current types of thinking. Even Leinart’s teammates cannot follow his example. Wide receiver Mike Williams left early last year only to be slighted by an untimely court decision and junior linebacker Lofa Tatupu has chosen to enter this year’s draft as well. Why is Leinart different? Why is he choosing to risk a poor senior season or even worse – – a serious injury?
In all actuality, Matt Leinart has made the correct choice, even in light of the possible setbacks. He has already made it clear that he does not give much thought to a possible injury or a poor season. No athletes do. A champion like Leinart does not go out to play thinking that he may get hurt. Rather, he thinks about how he can improve and how he can learn how to play the game better and smarter. He wants to fight on. One more year at Southern Cal ensures this. A senior year guarantees an even better rookie quarterback.
Some of the NFL’s greatest signal callers stayed in college for their entire eligibility. Jim Kelly, Dan Marino, John Elway, and Peyton Manning are just a few quarterbacks who did not leave early. Perhaps there is a direct parallel between their success and their decisions. Matt Leinart now has the chance to join their ranks once he enters the NFL. All Leinart has done by choosing to stay at USC is improve his chances of success, and anyone who puts himself into that sort of situation must be respected.
As next season gets closer, it will also become more evident that Leinart’s decision was not as hard as some would believe. Much like Leinart this year, Oklahoma’s Jason White made a similar choice last year to return to the Sooners, but in comparison, Leinart’s choice is even more remarkable. When White announced he was returning to OU he had not won the national title nor was he facing the possibility of being the first player drafted in the NFL. In other words, White had many reasons to return to Oklahoma. Not only did he want to win a national title for the Sooners but he also strived to become only the second player ever to win two Heisman trophies.
Even as Leinart has the same chance to win two Heismans, he, unlike White, has already won two national titles and is also certain of becoming a starting NFL quarterback. In their choices to return, Leinart and White both chose to return to a full slate of talented teammates.
Leinart will be returning, but so will Reggie Bush, LenDale White, Wil Smith, Dwayne Jarrett, and an offensive line that will only get better. Then there is the chance of becoming a member of the only squad in college football history to win three AP titles in a row. Do not forget that Pete Carroll and Norm Chow are staying at home so there will be no changes in the Trojan offense. They will only improve. And of course, it is worth mentioning that Leinart, by virtue of staying in school, will now earn his college degree in Sociology. The choice has been made and success will be plentiful.
Sure, USC will be under microscopic analysis during every week and every play, but that is why Leinart chose to return. He wants the chance to see his success go beyond what it is now. He just wants to play college ball one more year. That means nothing but trouble for all other schools. So, apologies ought to be sent to the likes of Bob Stoops and Oklahoma or Mack Brown and Texas or even Urban Meyer and his Florida Gators. And deepest sympathies are to be made to the UCLA Bruins. L.A. is not yours and it probably will not be anytime soon. USC will be around for another year, and you have no one to thank but Matt Leinart and his choice to fight on.