2010 Heisman Hopefuls: Matt Barkley, QB, USC
Sometimes a player can almost seem pre-ordained for greatness. He can collect all the accolades and awards that he possibly could as a high school player and then get attention from some of the best college programs in the nation. After choosing the most successful program in recent years, it would seem as if the future was almost already written.
That is likely what went through the mind of Matt Barkley when he decided to go to the University of Souther California and become a Trojan. Over the last decade the Trojans had been in the hunt for the national title at some point during each season. Numerous players had gone on to success in the National Football League after obtaining numerous accolades and awards in college.
It seemed like the perfect fit for a player like Matt Barkley.
High School
Barkley played at one of the best high schools in the United States, Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California. Following in the footsteps of players like Matt Leinart and Colt Brennan, Barkley used the stage he was given to shine.
The first freshman since Todd Marinovich to start as a freshman, Barkley made the most out of his time at Meter Dei. He would throw for 1,685 yards and 10 touchdowns his first year; it would be cut short in the state quarter-finals when he would suffer a broken collarbone after getting hit.
His coach felt good enough about his young quarterback that he actually let him start calling his own plays as a sophomore. That year he would pass for 1,349 yards and 11 touchdowns. Barkley would end up breaking out in his junior year when his production literally exploded as he more than matched his production from the previous two seasons: 3,576 yards and 35 touchdowns.
Barkley’s play as a junior did not go unnoticed. Gatorade would name him the National Football Player of the Year and the Male Athlete of the Year as well—the first time the feat would be accomplished by a player not in his senior season. He would also be awarded the Glen Davis Award as the top high school football player in Southern California and the Joe Montana Award, recognizing the United States' best high school quarterback.
Described as a cross between Montana and Tom Brady, Barkley would be one of the most sought after recruits for the recruiting class of 2009. ESPN named him the top prospect and one time he was also the top pick according to Rivals.com.
Barkley would waste no time in committing to the USC, doing so in January of 2008, more than a year before he would be expected to. He would end up using that time to help recruit other top talent to come to the USC as well.
College
Barkley did not exactly have a stellar showing during his freshman year at college; it was not a bad year by any means, just not one that would be expected of a Heisman Trophy candidate.
The team had not anticipated playing him so much so early in his career, but they also did not expect Mark Sanchez to depart for the NFL after his junior year. According to reports, he had no trouble attempting to make big plays during spring practices often succeeding, but also throwing a number of interceptions as well.
Barkley would end up being named a starter prior to the season opener against San Jose State. He would be the first true freshman to start for a pre-season top five team since 1975 and the first in Trojan history. By season’s end he would miss some time due to injury and suffer some growing pains along the way, but he would still lead the Trojans to a 9-4 record and a bowl invitation. On the season he would throw 352 times, completing 211 for 2,735 yards with 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Playing at one of the most watched schools in the nation will boost his name into Heisman Trophy talks. For him to be any more than just a name tossed around at the start of the season he will have to show the form that he displayed in his junior year at Mater Dei.
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