Matt Leinart helped create the massive expectations that exist for USC, and the former superstar quarterback says Lincoln Riley could be fired if he doesn’t live up to them this season. Not only did he talk about his alma mater USC, coming off a Bowl win over Texas A&M, he talked about SEC quarterbacks Arch Manning, LaNorris Sellers and much more.
The Trojans have stumbled to a combined record of 15-11 the past two seasons under Riley, and are unranked heading into 2025.
“He is on the hot seat,” Leinart told The Escapist in an exclusive interview. “I think he would tell you that, because you have to win there.”
Leinart on Riley needing to engineer a major turnaround this season
“The deficiencies that they had last year, closing out games and finishing, they couldn't put it together. Does that change this year? There's a lot of definitions of what makes a successful season. I do think USC is different. There's a lot of pressure there, there's a lot of expectation."
Leinart on Jayden Maiava needing to become the next great QB under Riley
"Jayden is the key. If he can take the next step in this offense, where we've seen quarterbacks just absolutely flourish, then they're going to be there in the mix. The schedule shapes up for them to have a nice little run, and we'll see. You got to improve on last year, or else that's going to continue to be the narrative. The storyline is: Is Lincoln the right guy for the job? I think he has the ability to do it. I really do. This is a big year for him and the team."
Leinart on USC being under the radar
"It doesn't mean there's less expectation, but it kind of means no one's really talking about you. You can keep your nose to the ground, you can grind, and you can start letting your play do the talking. They have a team this year that can compete in the Big Ten."
Leinart then mentioned an under-the-radar candidate that probably isn’t at the top of most lists. South Carolina dual-threat quarterback LaNorris Sellers is coming off a 2024 campaign in which he threw for 2,534 yards, 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions, while adding another 674 yards and 8 rushing touchdowns.
The 2004 Heisman Trophy Winner on South Carolina's LaNaorris Sellers
“One dark horse guy is LaNorris Sellers at South Carolina,” Leinart said. “I think he’s really good, I just see the talent. I see a quarterback who can run, who can make a lot of throws. He kind of took off last year. I remember talking about the end of the year like this kid has a shot. You know, they gotta win a lot of games obviously and be in a lot of games, so he’s one that just will be high up there" told: RG.org
Two time All-American and two time national champion, Leinart also had this to say about the hype surrounding Arch Manning
I’m really excited to see him develop. When you play for Texas, when you play in the SEC, when you’re coming off one win away from a national championship berth. Everything is there for him to lead his team to the national championship and potentially win the Heisman.”
Matt Leinart and Arch Manning were mentored by Steve Sarkisian at the college level. Coach Sarks was Leinart's quarterback coach at USC in 2002, 2003 and 2005. He has been the Texas head coach since 2021.
Here is the full interview: https://www.escapistmagazine.com/matt-leinart-exclusive-interview-lincoln-riley-usc/