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- Matt Leinart’s son Cole is a dominant two-sport athlete and he’s only in the eighth grade.
- Although he is likely to play football, he is an absolute flamethrower on the basketball court and is already throwing down.
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Cole Leinart may only be 15 years old, but he is already tearing it up as a two-sport athlete. Cole, the son of former USC and NFL quarterback Matt Leinart, is set to be one of the top quarterback prospects in the Class of 2026, should he not choose to ball out on the hardwood instead.
As the son of Matt, Cole knows how to sling the pill. His dad has even said before that he is “way faster” and “more athletic” than he ever was.
While Matt was more of a traditional pocket passer, Cole has some serious wheels.
Way faster and athletic than me @leinart_cole . Damn! @USC_Athletics @247Sports @GregBiggins #classof2026 pic.twitter.com/rtqEFHEEK5
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) June 30, 2021
And he has an absolute laser for an arm, especially for an eighth-grader.
💯 bullseye! pic.twitter.com/n0UFnnTfhp
— Cole Leinart (@Cole__Leinart) January 12, 2022
Even while on the move.
@3dqb_SoCal @Chris_I_Davis grind doesn’t stop. pic.twitter.com/Mx9Lz91WvF
— Cole Leinart (@Cole__Leinart) February 5, 2022
Cole’s talent as a quarterback is undeniable. He is going to be very, very good and certainly be will be one of the most highly-coveted recruits in his class.
However, should he choose to go another route, Cole could be just as successful on the hardwood. His mother, Brynn Cameron, was a formidable perimeter threat during her five-year career as a guard at USC.
She entered her senior season as the Trojans’ No. 3 all-time three-point shooter and was ranked No. 5 all-time with a 34.5% three-point shooting percentage at the time. It appears as though her stroke was passed down to her son.
Cole’s range is unlimited.
2026 Cole Leinart got a flamethrower! Son of Heisman & former NFL QB Matt Leinart! 🔥 @MattLeinartQB @madehoops pic.twitter.com/yUfzMOK7Rg
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) February 16, 2022
Cole and Elijah Williams, the son of former NBA guard and current head coach of the Phoenix Suns Monty Williams, are on the same team this spring and they are nearly impossible to stop.
The Dynamic Duo of Elijah Williams & Cole Leinart is getting scary!! Sons of Monty Williams & Matt Leinart @madehoops pic.twitter.com/ozLAdSyHK0
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) February 12, 2022
In addition, Cole carries an elite frame. Matt Leinart played at 6-foot-5, 225 pounds and Brynn Cameron is 5-foot-10.
Cole’s parents’ size has helped him get up and throw down for the first time as an eighth-grader earlier this year. That’s crazy.
First one 💪🏼@MaterDeiHoops pic.twitter.com/55uHsN9rTU
— Cole Leinart (@Cole__Leinart) November 22, 2021
Whatever Cole ends up doing — whether it is basketball or football — he is well on his way to being elite. He will presumably follow in his father’s footsteps, although he is a righty and Matt is a lefty, but with his size and athleticism, it’s nearly impossible to fail.
Cole will finish up middle school in the spring and then is set to play at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana just like his father. From there, if it were up to Matt, he would be QB1 at USC.