California high school quarterback prospect Cole Leinart, the son of former USC star and Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart, committed to SMU on Wednesday.

Leinart, a 6-foot-3 right-handed hitter, is a student at California's Redondo Union High School. He is currently unrated by ESPN but held multiple Power 4 offers and chose the Mustangs over Colorado, Arizona and Utah to become the second member of coach Rhett Lashlee's 2026 class.

“The culture they’re building at SMU — I just want to be a part of it,” Leinart told ESPN. “I love the coaching staff. They are literally like family now. I just want to be part of what they have there.”

Keep it up, buddy. Proud of you. This is just the beginning! #ponyup https://t.co/AsU9pXiltl

— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) November 6, 2024

Leinart's commitment came Wednesday, nearly 19 years after his father ended a legendary playing career at USC.

Matt Leinart was a three-time All-American with the Trojans from 2001-05, posting a 37-2 record as a starter in three seasons in which USC won back-to-back national titles (2003 and 2004). Leinart set 16 program records during his college career and became the Trojans' sixth Heisman Trophy winner in 2004. He then spent six seasons in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans and Oakland Raiders.

The younger Leinart is now the second prospect committed to SMU in 2026, joining cornerback Victor Lincoln (Lancaster, Texas). In the 2025 cycle, the Mustangs receive a quarterback commitment from four-star dual-threat passer Ty Hawkins, who transferred from TCU in July. Hawkins is one of three ESPN 300 prospects committed to SMU's 2025 class, which is ranked No. 28 in the cycle's latest team rankings.

Leinart began his high school career at California's Power Mater Dei High School before transferring to Newport Harbor last fall. Leinart then transferred to Redondo Union before his junior season in the fall, making his debut on September 27 after sitting out four games due to California Interscholastic Federation transfer rules. Leinart and Redondo Union will open the 2024 postseason this week against California's Aquinas High School.

SMU was the first program Leinart pursued seriously when the Mustangs offered him a scholarship before Leinart's freshman year of high school under former coach Sonny Dykes. Dykes transferred to TCU shortly after, but Leinart stayed in touch with the Mustangs and soon developed a close relationship with Lashlee, the third-year SMU coach.

Leinart's commitment to the Mustangs comes days after he visited SMU and attended the team's 48-25 victory over Pitt on Saturday.

“They were No. 1 for a long time, and then I went to a game last weekend,” Leinart said. “It was great to see. The offensive is open. The defense is fully deployed. And it's just a fun team. The whole atmosphere is just great. I’m happy to be a part of it.”

For Leinart, who initially followed in his father's footsteps at Mater Dei, college football represents an opportunity to continue a family legacy in the sport.

“Everyone sees the last name, but they don’t really see the work my parents put in to get me here,” Leinart said. “It’s not just me. That's all. I can carry on the tradition and play football and I think they are happy for me.”

SMU (8-1) was selected at No. 13 in the initial rankings released Tuesday by the College Football Playoff selection committee. The Mustangs have Week 11 off before visiting Boston College on November 16th.