SUCCESS WORTH WAIT FOR LEINART QUARTERBACK HAD TO BIDE TIME BEHIND PALMER BEFORE TAKING OVER FOR USC.

Byline: Scott Wolf  Staff Writer

Matt Leinart replaced Carson Palmer as USC's quarterback, but he almost did it two years earlier than anyone realized.

Although Palmer is considered perhaps the greatest quarterback in school history, he struggled during the 2001 season and Leinart almost replaced him late in the year against Arizona.

``He was going to play the whole second quarter against Arizona,'' said Leinart's father, Bob. ``Then while we were driving to Arizona, Matt called and said they decided they didn't want to burn his redshirt year. They chose not to play him.

``Because if Carson went 14 for 14 the next game, Matt would have burned his redshirt year with one quarter.''

That Arizona game turned out to be the start of a five-game winning streak for the Trojans and delayed Leinart taking over for Palmer by two years. But it still seems fresh in Leinart's mind, even as he attempts to succeed Palmer as USC's latest Heisman Trophy winner.

``It seems like yesterday. My whole career feels like a month,'' Leinart said. ``I feel like Carson was here last month. All those days when you're playing and winning, everything goes by fast.''

Although Leinart was anointed a Heisman Trophy candidate before this season, he usually has offered humble answers, partly because he didn't want to jinx his chances.

``I'm never thinking I'm winning it,'' he said. ``I think I was that way so I'm not disappointed.''

This week, however, Leinart finally opened up when prodded and admitted what virtually everyone around USC knows, that he badly wants to win college football's most prestigious award.

``I would love to win the Heisman,'' he said. ``It's a reward for how hard you work.''

It's hard to believe Leinart is the Heisman favorite if you go back to before the 2002 season, when he was unhappy about the number of snaps he got in practice as the Trojans' No. 3 quarterback.

``That was a long time and a lot of stress ago,'' Bob Leinart said. ``It happened for a reason. He wasn't in the right mental state. He wasn't mentally prepared. He wanted to get a shot. That was the hardest part for him at USC. He just wanted a shot. But they made the decision if Carson got hurt and needed a quick fix, (Matt) Cassel would be the guy.''

Leinart's father met with USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow on several occasions over the few snaps his son received, and Leinart didn't rule out the possibility of transferring. But all of that changed once Palmer departed.

``He made a huge improvement in spring practice that year,'' Chow said. ``Everything changed. He grew and became a leader. He's flourished since becoming a starter.''

Instead of wondering if he'll transfer, people now worry Leinart might turn pro after the season. Much like when discussing the Heisman, Leinart tries to take the high road.

``It's going to be interesting to see,'' Leinart said about his pro stock. ``I stick to my word. I plan on coming back. I'm firm in my decision now.''

But in the next breath, Leinart admits his mind is open to change.

``Fifteen million reasons would be tough to turn down,'' he said. ``If you've got that, you go. Anyone in my position would be curious. But I think that's highly unlikely.''

There might be little rush to leave USC, at least from a social perspective. Leinart frequently talks about the lure of being around so many coeds at USC but said he has become more responsible as his image grows.

``I'm smart with my decisions, pretty much. You've got to be smart,'' he said. ``With Kobe Bryant, that whole incident, I learned. People are looking to take you down. I've got bigger priorities in my life like my career and getting through school.''

--Notes: Leinart was named the Walter Camp Football Foundation Player of the Year on Thursday. Leinart is the fourth USC player to win, joining O.J. Simpson, Charles White and Marcus Allen. Defensive tackle Shaun Cody and linebacker Matt Grootegoed were named to the Camp All-American team.

Stanford will interview Pittsburgh coach Walt Harris either today or Saturday, according to sources. Chow, who interviewed at Stanford on Wednesday, remains a candidate and a job offer to Harris or Chow could come this weekend.

Scott Wolf, [phone]

scott.wolf(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

6 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- color) USC'S Matt Leinart appeared to have locked up the Heisman with a five-touchdown performance against Notre Dame but he was held without a TD pass for the first time in his career last week against UCLA.

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

(2 -- 6) WHAT'S IN A NUMBER?

Whether or not Matt Leinart walks off with the Heisman Trophy on Saturday, he might wind up as the first player chosen in next April's NFL draft. If so, he could continue a bizzare trend of uniform numbers worn by top picks. From left, Michael Vick (2000) wears No. 7, David Carr (2001) dons No. 8, Carson Palmer (2002) wears No. 9 and Eli Manning (2003) sports No. 10. Only Palmer, who wore No. 3 at USC, wore the same number in college. Will Leinart don No. 11 in San Francisco next season?

Associated Press photos

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer

Box:

(1) HYPING THE HEISMAN

(2) NATIONAL RANKINGS