Friday, December 23, 2011

USC football: Barkley staying for 1 more year

USC football: Barkley staying for one more year

December 22nd, 2011, 1:04 pm ? ? posted by JEFF MILLER, OCREGISTER.COM

USC won?t have a lot of issues entering next season, including at the quarterback position.

Junior Matt Barkley announced Thursday he will return for his senior season, making the Trojans an early contender for the national title. With Barkley, USC could be the preseason No. 1 next summer.

Barkley made it official during a news conference at Heritage Hall with these words:

?The 2012 team has some serious unfinished business to attend to, and I intend to play a part in that.?

Barkley?s decision remained a well guarded secret until his news conference was staged in front of a Christmas tree decorated in USC colors and before a USC pep band and even a few song girls.

When Barkley announced his intentions, there were cheers from the many Trojans fans who attended the gathering.

Playing on a team banned from participating in a bowl game, Barkley (Mater Dei High) still made himself? a Heisman Trophy contender this fall, throwing for 3,528 yards and 39 touchdowns with seven interceptions.

A three-year starter, Barkley faced the same NFL draft decision as recent USC quarterbacks Mark Sanchez and Matt Leinart. Sanchez opted to come out early and is now the starter for the New York Jets. Leinart stayed in school and has had an underwhelming NFL career.

Barkley, 21, is the last of four players from USC to decide his future. Defensive end Nick Perry and offensive tackle Matt Kalil (Servite) announced last week they would enter the NFL draft. Safety T.J. McDonald said he would return to school.

? Reporting from Los Angeles

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Source: http://usc.ocregister.com/2011/12/22/usc-football-barkley-staying-for-one-more-year/103247/

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