Fox “Big Noon Kickoff” analyst and 2004 Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart offered his insights on the upcoming college football season, focusing on standout quarterbacks and potential championship contenders. Leinart specifically highlighted Texas quarterback Arch Manning, emphasizing his leadership qualities and athletic ability.
"We know his ceiling is literally through the roof. We know how athletic he is. It’s another full year under his belt now to become that leader and all that," Leinart said. He noted Manning's dual-threat capabilities, his demeanor, and his work ethic as key indicators of his potential. "This is a kid who obviously could have taken advantage of NIL and used his name and all this, but he’s just head down, wants to be a ballplayer, works hard, he’s a grinder and he wants to be great," Leinart added.
Leinart also discussed other notable quarterbacks, including Oregon's Dante Moore, whom he described as having a great arm and the ability to process the game mentally. He praised Ohio State's Julian Sayin for his accuracy and composure under pressure. Trinidad Chambliss of Ole Miss was called the "most fascinating player" of the year, with Leinart suggesting he is a dark-horse Heisman candidate and a top draft prospect.
Leinart's championship picks included Ohio State as a top contender, citing their reloading ability, the addition of Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator, and the continued strong defense. He also views Notre Dame as a "Final Four team" with a chance to win it all, provided their offense identity solidifies. Georgia, despite its youth last season, is expected to be strong again, though Leinart stressed the need for more offensive explosiveness to be considered a legitimate contender.
Regarding coaching changes, Leinart touched on Lane Kiffin's move to LSU, calling him a polarizing but terrific coach and recruiter. He also mentioned Matt Campbell's arrival at Penn State as a significant, albeit less publicized, development. Leinart also addressed the pressure on USC coach Lincoln Riley in his fifth year, suggesting it's a "playoff-or-bust" season for the Trojans given their roster.
Leinart also singled out Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith as potentially the best player in college football. "He is as physically dominant and gifted as we’ve ever seen," Leinart stated, drawing comparisons to past elite receivers.
Reflecting on the state of college athletics, Leinart expressed a desire for a resolution to ongoing issues, emphasizing his love for celebrating the game itself. He anticipates a strong season with improved parity and product on the field, despite external changes within the sport.