Matt Barkley

Barkley returned to school for his senior year in 2012 in hopes of leading a loaded Trojans roster to a national championship. However, Southern Cal's season imploded, the team finished 7-5 and Barkley's stock took a serious hit even before his senior year ended with a sprained shoulder they kept him out of a bowl loss to Georgia Tech. Barkley's career at USC read like a Hollywood script until the '12 season. The highly regarded prep athlete was the surprising choice by then-head coach Pete Carroll to start the 2009 season after Mark Sanchez elected to enter the 2008 draft. Barkley immediately impressed with his leadership, demonstrating the confidence as a true freshman that normally was reserved for upperclassmen. He has steadily improved his numbers over his career, completing 60 percent of his passes in 2009 for 2,735 yards and 15 touchdowns (14 interceptions), 63 percent in 2010 for 2,791 yards and 26 touchdowns (12 interceptions) and 69 percent as a junior for 3,528 yards, 39 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. His completion percentage dropped back to 63.6 in 2012 and while he was on pace (36) to set a career high in touchdowns thrown, he also saw his interceptions double (15) and missed two full games. There is no getting around Barkley's lack of ideal measureables and that there have been more busts than hits from USC quarterbacks in recent years. Scouts, however, value Barkley's leadership, poise and accuracy on the move. He spent the majority of the pre-draft process trying to prove his shoulder is healthy and that he has the arm strength to make all the necessary NFL throws.

strengths

Battle-tested passer coming from a pro-style offense who has consistently played well in high pressure games. Barkley might lack the "ceiling" of some of the other quarterbacks in this draft class but also has the highest "floor" of any of them. Accurate passer who consistently hits his receivers in stride and leads them away from defenders. Has a quick, over-the-top delivery and shows the ability to change his arm slot to adjust to oncoming rushers (a must considering his lack of ideal height). Possesses enough arm strength to make every NFL throw. Best attribute may be his accuracy while on the move. Accurate rolling to right. Tough. Willing to stare down the gun-barrel and deliver the ball. Rarely fooled by the defense. Makes adjustments at the line of scrimmage.

compares to

Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Colts -- Grit, mobility and accuracy to the short and intermediate levels made Hasselbeck a Pro Bowler in Seattle despite possessing less than ideal arm strength. Barkley is more advanced entering the NFL but needs to be surrounded by plentiful talent.

weaknesses

Shorter than scouts would like. Listed at 6-2 by USC and might measure shorter than that during pre-draft events. Has average arm strength overall, which could limit his effectiveness in games played in less-than-ideal weather (something that rarely occurred in southern California). Highly confident passer who will test tight windows and could get an unwelcomed introduction to the difference in speed between the Pac-12 and NFL levels.

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.

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.