QB Matt Barkley Will Remain At USC For His Senior Year, Forgoing The NFL Draft

Quarterback Matt Barkley will remain with USC for his senior season, bypassing a potential top-10 selection in April's NFL draft to chase a national championship with the Trojans. With USC coach Lane Kiffin and his family in attendance, Barkley announced Thursday that while he feels prepared for the NFL, he has more to accomplish with the Trojans, his announcement set off cheers at USC's Heritage Hall. "This 2012 team has some serious unfinished business to attend to and I plan to play a part in it," Barkley said. "I have firmly decided to forgo the 2012 NFL draft and finish that." Flanked to his left and right by USC's six Heisman trophies and to his back by a cardinal-and-gold ornamented Christmas tree, the quarterback thanked the hundreds in attendance, his family and his girlfriend before making the announcement. Barkley also said he spent "considerable time" talking over the decision with former USC athletes, pro athletes and NFL experts. They all "validated" his belief that he was ready to declare for the draft, Barkley said.

Source: ESPNLos Angeles

 

I think he sees he is the #3 at best qb going this year and would rather wait a year and hope for a weaker field to be drafted with.

 

It will probably mean more calls to the Colts to get Luck

 

This is exactly what I was going to say.

 

Stupid imo. The rookies dont get paid like they used too. You are risking injury by going back. Take the money and run with what ever team drafts you.

 

I figured as soon as his LT left Barkley was sure to follow. He better hope his decision works out better for him than it did for Leinart.

 

I am rather shocked by this decision hope he doesnt get hurt

 

Which is funny because he is EASILY the #2 best QB in this class, and quite possibly the best.

Anyways, glad he is staying. Could help his case or hurt it (see: Leinart), but either way he will have another year in college in sunny LA living like a god on campus with unlimited access to hot college 'tang.

ALMOST seems like a no brainer to me.

 

I think he would have been the 2nd best QB in the draft. RG3 is a hot topic and riding a huge wave of popularity but when it comes down to it Barkley is a better passer. RG3 gets the nod in atheleticism obviously. But it's all meaningless now. Landry Jones is happy. He just moved up.

 

I think RG3 is amazing, he plays at Baylor... I would love to see him on a USC or a Oklahoma and see what his stats would be compared to a Barkley or a Jones playing at Baylor.

 

this was really shocking to me. Of course I would say go for it cause you never know whats gonna happen in his senior season. but he obviously doesnt think his draft stock is high enought. he must wanna be the Andrew Luck of next years draft

 

Maybe he's just one of those guys that really loves the college experience.

 

usc girls - Google Search

 

I think Barkley would have been the third QB taken behind Luck and RGIII. Next year Barkley should be the clear #1

 

As an NFL QB Barkley could get any college girl he wanted. He could basically any woman he wanted. I don't think the selection of hot USC women would have any affect on his decision.

 

Doesn't hurt.

 

Meh...

 

usc has a reputation with the tramps, but usc tramps cant be that much better than real life general population tramps in an NFL city.

barkley isnt leinart though, never has been half the party guy leinart was, hes actually a very team-first guy.....i think he should go pro but another year wont be bad for him...USC becomes bowl eligible again, he'll EASILY be the #1 QB next years rather than the 2/3 this year

 

I heard RGIII is staying put at Baylor too.

If that's the case, this QB class went from great to squat.