Freshman Will Start at QB for USC Football
Eighteen-year-old Barkley Picked to Lead Trojans Offense in Opener
Aug 28, 2009
So far, Barkley’s done just about everything – or at least everything one could expect from an 18-year-old.
He started for four seasons at California’s fabled Mater Dei High, gained a slew of national honors, and was rated as the No. 1 recruit in the U.S. before eventually signing with the University of Southern California..
And now, Barkley is going to be the first true freshman in Trojans history to start at quarterback in a season opener – a rather impressive accomplishment considering the talent that’s come before him.
So just three months removed from high school – and three days before his 19th birthday – Barkley will be under center when the Trojans face San Jose State on Saturday, Sept. 5, in Los Angeles. The game, scheduled for 12:30 p.m. (PST), will be telecast regionally by the Fox Sports Net.
Barkley had been No. 2 on the Trojans’ depth chart behind sophomore Aaron Corp, but an injury kept Corp out of practice for two weeks. That helped open the door for Barkley, whom USC coach Pete Carroll announced as starter on Thursday.
"He's the starting quarterback at USC -- it's not a one-game deal," Carroll said in a news release. "He seized the opportunity that was in front of him and took control. He deserves all the credit in the world and we expect nothing but great things from him."
Carroll’s Decision Draws Mixed Reaction
To some, Barkley being named starter was no surprise.
Orange County Register columnist Scott Reid wrote: “Carroll and his staff's enthusiasm about Barkley and their confidence in him have been so evident that Thursday's decision seemed inevitable even before sophomore quarterback Aaron Corp, No. 1 on the depth chart coming out of the spring, fractured a bone in his left fibula just days into pre-season drills.”
But others called the move hasty considering that the No. 4-ranked Trojans must take on No. 6 Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio, on Sept. 12.
Los Angeles Times columnist Chris Dufresne wrote: “USC Coach Pete Carroll's decision Thursday to name (too-good-to-be-true?) freshman Matt Barkley the team's starting quarterback may have just clinched a spot in the Bowl Championship Series title game . . . for Ohio State.”
Dufresne said putting Barkley into that situation is “like sending a first violinist to Carnegie Hall before he has learned to play the entire concerto.”
Ted Miller of ESPN.com said the announcement was a strategic one, aimed to build confidence among Barkley and his teammates while not giving the appearance of the team using a “stop-gap solution.” But Miller wouldn't say that the Trojans don't truly believe in the freshman.
“My sense is that the USC coaches believe Barkley might actually go out and kick butt, first against San Jose State and then at Ohio State,” Miller wrote. “And, if so, that means ‘away we go’ with the next big thing in college football.”
So Who is Matt Barkley?
Barkley is a 6-foot-3, 220-pound dropback passer who’s praised for his strength, his throwing arm, his mobility in the pocket and his mental prowess.
Scott Kennedy of Scout.com tabbed Barkley as an immediate impact player long before he hit the practice field at USC.
“His mechanics are outstanding, and he shows great poise and leadership under pressure,” Kennedy wrote. “He is a big quarterback that has the frame and toughness to make an early contribution on the next level.”
Kennedy’s best year at Mater Dei was his junior season, when he completed 62.6 percent of his passes for 3,576 yards, with 35 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He was named Gatorade National Male High School Athlete of the Year, and Gatorade National Player of the Year, being the first junior ever to capture either of those honors.
His production dropped his senior year, as he struggled during the first half of the season. He finished with 2,877 yards with 23 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.
At USC, he impressed the coaching staff from the get-go.
"He can spit out a play call, see it in his head and execute the play,” USC quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates said in a statement posted on the team web site. “To do that in the first two weeks he was here, like he did, would be impressive for an NFL rookie."
USC Quarterback Competition Remains Open
While Barkley’s been named the starter, Carroll said competition for the job is still open.
Much could depend on the recovery of Corp, whom Carroll said “is not ready yet.” USC’s most mobile quarterback, Corp appeared in five games and threw five passes last season.
The Trojans also have junior Mitch Mustain, who was the backup to Mark Sanchez during USC's 12-1 season of 2008. In eight games, Mustain completed 11 of his 16 passes for 157 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Sanchez, who left USC with a year of eligibility remaining, was picked in the fifth round of the NFL Draft by the New York Jets. The three USC quarterbacks before him-- John David Booty, Mater Dei alumnus Matt Leinart and Carson Palmer -- are also in the NFL. Leinart and Palmer were also first-round picks.
