NCAA FB

FOX Sports Exclusive

USC freshman QB Barkley is the real deal

Share This Story

foxsports admin

 
Updated Sep 1, 2009 10:46 PM ET
     
 
The prodigy and the powerhouse, a coming-of-age story that's about to hit a stadium near you this fall. In a stunning decision Thursday, Pete Carroll announced that 18-year old Matt Barkley would be his starting quarterback. True freshmen just don't win jobs like that at top-shelf programs with national championship hopes. Barkley, however, is not your ordinary freshman, something the rest of the country is about to learn. Yes, the door on the depth chart widened after third-year sophomore Aaron Corp fractured a bone in his leg, but Barkley took this job and made the decision for the coaching staff surprisingly clear. He was simply better. Better than Corp. Better than Mitch Mustain. Better than anyone in the program expected and that's why he's starting the opener against San Jose State. Since arriving in the spring, it was obvious Barkley was different than any rookie Trojan in recent memory. And it wasn't his physical skills that drew the most attention. Sure, Barkley has remarkable arm strength and accuracy, but those alone wouldn't have made the leap from high school star to USC starter possible. Barkley is unique in ways that stand out most to coaches. He's mature beyond his years, competitive and has already earned the respect of veteran teammates. He has a quiet confidence and a swagger that will settle down even the most skittish huddle. And he possesses the instincts and feel for the position that cannot be taught. Simply, he was born to be a big-time quarterback. That he was born in 1990 makes his development so remarkable.

Barkley on campus

ALTTEXT Photos: Scout.com's lenses have been trained on Matt Barkley since he arrived on the USC campus. Check out the best Barkley photos right here.
Does Barkley remain in the driver's seat for all 13 games? It's up to him. The schedule has plenty of landmines, beginning with the Week 2 trip to Ohio State. There's no manual to prepare a young quarterback for a night game at the Horseshoe. He has tested the boundaries of expectations throughout his brief athletic career, meaning you might not want to doubt him. And what about Corp? So impressive in beating Mustain for the No. 2 spot a year ago and seemingly the heir apparent once Mark Sanchez bolted, he's left to wonder if his window of opportunity is about to shut. Although Carroll considers competition a cornerstone of his program, a successful Barkley might not look back until after declaring early for the 2012 NFL draft. So, one of the highest-profile programs in the country has a true freshman as its quarterback. Now what? The playbook won't be compromised, or else the kid wouldn't have gotten the nod. It's business as usual at USC until proven otherwise. For Carroll, who has as much goodwill as any coach this side of Gainesville, it's a low-risk move, with an awful lot to gain. If Barkley can't deliver, the coach has a couple of five-star recruits waiting in the wings. Plus, he knows this youngster won't be shaken by a rough start. If the kid flourishes, Carroll becomes the genius coach, who was not afraid to give the ball to a rookie, another huge talking point on the recruiting trail. Heck, this is the same Carroll, who was ready to pull the trigger on starting a young John David Booty a few years ago before injuries changed the blueprint? It turns out that the buzz surrounding Barkley in the spring was real and just a sneak peek of what was about to come. Now that he's earned his first start a few days before his 19th birthday, things are about to get real interesting for the boy wonder and everyone that follows his budding career.
Tagged: USC, Ohio State, San Jose State

More Stories From foxsports admin



Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

NCAA FB Videos

Scout: Signing Day - Top Classes Posted: Feb 02, 2012
Scout.com's Scott Kennedy gives you the top College Football recruiting classes ...

Scout: Signing Day - Worst Classes Posted: Feb 02, 2012
Check out Scout.com's worst recruiting classes of 2012.

Scout: Signing Day - Unsigned Prospects Posted: Feb 02, 2012
Scout.com's Scott Kennedy gives you the top unsigned recruits in College Footbal...

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Nike Florida Gators Ladies Ash Classic Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Florida_Gators/browse/featuredproduct/206368/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_206000/FF_206368_xl.jpg&w=100 54.95 Nike Florida Gators Ladies Ash Classic Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt
    Nike USC Trojans Cardinal Vault Legacy 91 Swoosh Flex Hat http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_USC_Trojans/browse/featuredproduct/454858/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_454000/FF_454858_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 Nike USC Trojans Cardinal Vault Legacy 91 Swoosh Flex Hat
    adidas Nebraska Cornhuskers #94 Replica Football Jersey - Scarlet http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Nebraska_Cornhuskers/browse/featuredproduct/477038/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_477000/ff_477038_xl.jpg&w=100 59.95 adidas Nebraska Cornhuskers #94 Replica Football Jersey - Scarlet
    Nike Florida State Seminoles (FSU) Ladies My School Local T-shirt - Garnet http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Florida_State_Seminoles/browse/featuredproduct/520956/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_520000/ff_520956_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 Nike Florida State Seminoles (FSU) Ladies My School Local T-shirt - Garnet
    Nike Kansas State Wildcats Classic Logo Long Sleeve T-Shirt - Purple http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Kansas_State_Wildcats/browse/featuredproduct/681476/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_681000/ff_681476_xl.jpg&w=100 23.95 Nike Kansas State Wildcats Classic Logo Long Sleeve T-Shirt - Purple
    Nike Alabama Crimson Tide #3 2012 BCS National Championship Game Replica Football Jersey - Crimson http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Alabama_Crimson_Tide/browse/featuredproduct/771453/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_771000/ff_771453_xl.jpg&w=100 64.95 Nike Alabama Crimson Tide #3 2012 BCS National Championship Game Replica Footbal..
    Nike Ohio State Buckeyes New Coach T-Shirt - Scarlet http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Ohio_State_Buckeyes/browse/featuredproduct/775105/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_775000/ff_775105_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Ohio State Buckeyes New Coach T-Shirt - Scarlet
    Nike LSU Tigers Ash 2012 BCS National Championship Bound Target Knock Out Performance Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_LSU_Tigers/browse/featuredproduct/776277/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_776000/ff_776277_xl.jpg&w=100 69.95 Nike LSU Tigers Ash 2012 BCS National Championship Bound Target Knock Out Perfo..
    Nike Oklahoma State Cowboys 2012 Fiesta Bowl Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Charcoal http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Oklahoma_State_Cowboys/browse/featuredproduct/780963/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_780000/ff_780963_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Oklahoma State Cowboys 2012 Fiesta Bowl Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Cha..
Microsoft© 2012 Microsoft