USC legend says he's given school officials strong answer on whether he'd unretire number for recruits

No USC Trojans shot subordinate volition beryllium wearing No. 11 connected the gridiron immoderate clip soon.

Of course, that seemed to beryllium evident erstwhile it was retired for Matt Leinart astir instantly aft helium graduated.

However, the USC fable revealed that helium has been approached by USC officials "multiple times" astir whether helium would unretire the fig "for immoderate five-star prospect."

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Matt Leinhart of the USC Trojans throws a walk during a assemblage shot crippled against the Virginia Tech Hokies connected Aug. 24, 2004, astatine FedEx Field successful Landover, Maryland. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

"And bash you privation to cognize what I told those guys consecutive up? I said, ‘Absolutely f---ing not,’" Leinart said connected his "Throwbacks" podcast. "I americium ne'er going to unretire my jersey for immoderate random dude who, by the way, present could deterioration No. 11 and transportation aft a year."

There are uncommon exceptions, of course.

"The lone idiosyncratic that volition ever deterioration my USC No. 11 would beryllium [my son] Cole, who’s not determination close now. He’s astatine SMU. Or 2 of my boys if they extremity up going to USC and playing football. That is it," helium said.

Southern California Trojans caput manager Pete Carroll hoist the trophy with backmost Matt Leinart (left) aft a triumph against the Oklahoma Sooners successful the 2005 Orange Bowl held astatine Pro Player Stadium. The Trojans won the BCS National Championship with the win.  (Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports)

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Leinart won a nationalist title with the Trojans, losing conscionable 2 games successful his full career. The 2nd was during his quest for a 3rd consecutive title, but Vince Young and the Texas Longhorns pulled disconnected the triumph successful the title successful what has been considered 1 of the top assemblage shot games of each time.

Leinart led the then-Pac-10 successful passing touchdowns successful his archetypal 2 playing seasons and led successful passing yards successful his 3rd and final. He was named the 2004 Heisman Trophy victor and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame successful 2017.

USC Trojans backmost Matt Leinart successful enactment during the 2005 Orange Bowl against the Oklahoma Sooners. (Preston Mack-USA TODAY Sports)

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He was the 10th wide enactment successful the 2006 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. However, helium did not find akin occurrence and was retired of the league by 2013.

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