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2009: Barkley, who enrolled at USC in the spring of 2009 after graduating a semester early from high school, will compete for the starting quarterback job as a first-year freshman in 2009. He had an impressive showing in 2009 spring practice. HIGH SCHOOL: His 2008 honors included Super Prep All-American, Prep Star All-American, Scout.com All-American first team, ESPN 150, Super Prep Elite 50, Prep Star Dream Team, MVP of the Under Armour All-American Game, Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-West, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West first team, Orange County Register Fab 15 first team, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Cal-Hi Sports All-State third team and All-Trinity League Co-MVP as a senior quarterback at Mater Dei High in Santa Ana (Calif.). He completed 177-of-325 passes (54.5%) for 2,877 yards with 23 TDs and 18 interceptions in 2008. As a junior in 2007, he was named the Gatorade Male High School Athlete of the Year and the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year (the first time a junior was ever selected for either honor), as well as winning Joe Montana Quarterback of the Year Award. He also made the 2007 USA Today All-USA second team, EA Sports All-American second team, Rivals.com Junior of the Year, Rivals.com Junior All-American first team, Cal-Hi Sports All-State first team, Cal-Hi Sports California Junior of the Year, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass first team, All-CIF Pac-5 Division first team, Los Angeles Times All-Star Glenn Davis Award (as the top Southern California prep football player) and Orange County Register All-Orange County Offensive MVP. He completed 213-of-340 passes (62.6%) for 3,576 yards (an Orange County record) and 35 TDs and 9 interceptions in 2007. As a sophomore in 2006, he made Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomore while passing for 1,349 yards and 11 TDs. A 4-year starter, he threw for 1,685 yards and 10 TDs as a 2005 freshman. Current Trojans Robbie Boyer (Barkley's cousin) and Khaled Holmes also prepped at Mater Dei. PERSONAL: He's a communication major at USC with a B average (3.17 GPA). While in high school, he was active in his church (playing guitar in the choir) and in community service (he helped build homes for the poor in Mexico, volunteered at an orphanage in South Africa and spearheaded the Monarchs For Marines program that raised money for the families of wounded and fallen soldiers). His father, Les, lettered for 4 years (1976-79) in water polo at USC, captaining the Trojans his final 2 seasons and earning All-American second team notice in 1979. MATT BARKLEY ON: His outlook: "I know the opportunities that are placed in front of me. It's up to me to make sure it gets done...I've been given abilities to be able to play football and throw the football and a mind to be able to comprehend quite a bit, so I really don't settle for anything." Going through spring practice at USC in 2009: "I was glad I got a chance. I came to USC to compete and to do my best, and I think my best is yet to come. I'm not satisfied with myself yet...I was playing at my best. It's only going to get better from here. I felt comfortable. I was used to the offense." Being compared to Matt Leinart: "Everyone always wants to compare me with Matt Leinart. I get it. We both are Mater Dei guys, we're both USC guys. Matt is a great guy. It's been fun getting to know him. But for now, I'm not thinking about all that. I'm just going out and trying to play football and win...I'm just going to do what I can. If that means championships or trophies, or if that means nothing, then that's what's going to happen. I'm just going to be me." Community service: "We've been given so much. We're responsible for giving back. God gave me the ability to share what I can do with others." WHAT OTHERS SAY: USC head coach Pete Carroll: "He is extraordinarily gifted in terms of understanding the game and the position...He was able to compete from the first days he was on the field." USC quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates: "He can spit out a play call, see it in his head and execute the play. To do that in the first two weeks he was here, like he did, would be impressive for an NFL rookie." Former USC Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Matt Leinart: "He was far better than I was in high school. He was more polished. He was more everything...He's a great kid on and off the field." |
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