LOS ANGELES -- Sleepy-eyed Matt Leinart said Wednesday he
remains uncertain whether he will return to USC for his senior
season or go into the NFL.
The Trojans' Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and his
teammates -- after celebrating into the wee hours in Miami -- arrived
back on campus late in the afternoon. They were greeted by a crowd
of about a hundred cheering, photo-snapping fans.
"I have until Jan. 15 to decide what I'm going to do," Leinart
said of the deadline for declaring for the NFL draft.
"It's going to take a lot for me to leave, despite the game
last night and the Heisman Trophy. I'm going to talk with Coach
(Pete) Carroll about it, get his ideas."
Two other of the nation's top quarterback this season,
California's Aaron Rodgers and Utah's Alex Smith, already have
announced they will leave school early to enter the draft.
Asked how his teammates were advising him, Leinart smiled and
said, "A lot of mixed feelings. A lot of guys say go, and a lot
say stay."
He ostensibly improved his stock with the NFL considerably
Tuesday night with his performance in the 55-19 BCS title game
victory over Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.
Leinart went 18-of-35 for 332 yards, with no interceptions, and
threw an Orange Bowl-record five touchdowns to far outshine
Oklahoma's 2003 Heisman winner, Jason White. White threw three
interceptions.
"Matt had an incredible game," Carroll said.
Although Leinart seems to have nothing left to prove as a
college quarterback, he apparently would like to remain at USC and
help the Trojans win a third consecutive national championship.
"There's talk about building a dynasty, and I know coach
Carroll doesn't like to use that term, but I really don't see us
slowing down," he said.
Leinart has some other business to consider, as well.
"Next week, it's back to school," he said. "Then workouts
start in about a month."