Barkley named Trojans starting QB

USC has produced many talented quarterbacks over the years, many who are still playing in the NFL. If this trend continues, the next great Trojan signal caller will start his first game against San Jose State in a few weeks.

Matt Barkley, the consensus #1 overall recruit in the 2009 class, has been tabbed as the USC starting quarterback for opening day. Trojan head coach Pete Carroll announced the news following the team's afternoon practice. He slotted Barkley the starter over sophomore Aaron Corp and junior Mitch Mustian.

In this quarterback race, Carroll had a win-win-win situation. Despite each not having much or any NCAA Division I playing experience, any of the three would have likely succeeded under center this season with 10 starters returning on offense.

Barkley, however, won the job outright by throwing crisp, clean passes during training camp, while an injured Corp watched from the sidelines.

Here is some information on Barkley from his personal website, www.MattBarkley.com...

Barkley was named 2007 Gatorade national player of the year, as the first non-senior to ever been named such. He also won the 2007 Glenn Davis Award, given to best high school football player in Southern California , as well as the inaugural Joe Montana Award as the nation's top high school quarterback.

Matt Barkley passed for 3,576 yards and 35 touchdowns in 2007, completing 63% of his passes with nine interceptions. In 2005, he became the first freshman quarterback to start at Mater Dei High School since Todd Marinovich.

Matt Barkley is rated the top overall prospect in the nation by Rivals.com. On January 23, 2008, Barkley ended all speculation about Norm Chow and UCLA possibly becoming a contender by making his announcement for the USC Trojans.

Matt Barkley had a memorable 2007 junior season, when he was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year and won the Pete Maxwell Award for the top prep football player nationally. Matt Barkley threw for 3,560 yards and 35 touchdown passes in helping lead Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei to a share of the Trinity League title.