Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now
Mater Dei quarterback Cole Leinart, son of Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart, has left his father’s high school alma mater and enrolled at Newport Harbor, Sailors football coach Peter Lofthouse confirmed Thursday.
Leinart, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound sophomore, served as the primary backup to senior Elijah Brown for the Monarchs (5-0), who are ranked No. 1 nationally in multiple polls.
This season, Leinart has played in two games, completing 2 of 3 passes for 10 yards and one touchdown.
He last appeared for Mater Dei on Sept. 2 against Creekside of Georgia, an opponent the Monarchs defeated 62-0.
Leinart, who donned the same No. 7 jersey that his father wore at Mater Dei, also played basketball for the Monarchs.
Matt Leinart rose from Mater Dei to claim the Heisman Trophy for USC in 2004 and later played in the NFL.
At Newport Harbor, sophomore Jaden O’Neal (6-3, 190) has emerged as the starting quarterback this season after competing with senior Bode Stefano during the summer.
O’Neal, a transfer from Los Alamitos, has completed 57 percent of his passes for 1,034 yards and 10 TDs for the Sailors (2-3).
Newport Harbor opens the Sunset League against visiting Huntington Beach on Friday.
The CIF-SS website doesn’t yet list Leinart’s transfer eligibility but shows that Newport Harbor is processing the transfer of Samuel and Jackson Stremick. Mater Dei lists Sammy Stremick (5-10, 175) as a junior wide receiver.
Leinart’s departure appears to leave Mater Dei’s quarterback options after Brown on the inexperienced side this season.
During summer passing competition, Leinart and freshman Furian Infererra (6-2, 192) were two of the quarterbacks who played after Brown. The Monarchs also have another touted freshman passer in Reagan Toki (5-10, 176).
Please send football news to Dan Albano at dalbano@scng.com or @ocvarsityguy
