It Could Be Leinart’s True Calling

USC quarterback Matt Leinart returned from a trip to New York on Thursday and made like Peyton Manning.

Leinart, who attended the Sullivan Award ceremony Wednesday night, is still rehabilitating from elbow surgery and will not throw a football for another month. But toward the end of practice, the coaching staff turned over play-calling responsibilities to the Heisman Trophy winner. He shadowed backups John David Booty and Rocky Hinds to the line of scrimmage, read the defense, and then called the play a la the Indianapolis Colts’ All-Pro quarterback.

Might he have similar responsibility next season? “They’re letting me now. I don’t see why they won’t in the fall,” Leinart said.

Coach Pete Carroll said Thursday’s exercise was a continuation of Leinart’s spring curriculum, which has included studying tape of NFL defenses.

“Is he smarter? Well, we’ll wait and see what the results are,” Carroll said. “But he’s been exposed to things that you normally wouldn’t get exposed to.”

Leinart, who would have been regarded as possibly the top quarterback in this year’s NFL draft, announced in January that he would bypass the chance to turn pro and return for a final season of eligibility.

On Thursday, he said he would watch the April 23 draft. “I’m not going to turn that TV on till pick No. 4,” he said, laughing.

Leinart, a sociology major, is preparing to go through graduation ceremonies in May. He said he would take a class during the summer and another in the fall.

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The Trojans will have a walk-through and conclude spring workouts with a scrimmage Saturday. ... Carroll said running back Chauncey Washington was absent from practice to concentrate on classwork.