Picture this: A freshman quarterback starting just his second career game for one of the most prolific college football programs in history travels to Columbus, Ohio to take on a Buckeyes team ranked #8 in the entire country and led by one of the biggest offensive threats in the game. This is exactly what USC quarterback Matt Barkley faced last Saturday night on national television. The result? A victory for Barkley and his Trojan teammates. Which can only leave one wondering what the future could hold…. 

Matt Barkley was destined for stardom from the start. Attending the well-respected Mater Dei High School in Southern California, Barkley was the first freshman to start for their nationally recognized football program since Tom Marinovich. He was named the 2007 Gatorade National Player of the Year and the 2007 Gatorade National Male Athlete of the Year as a JUNIOR, he was the first ever non-senior to win those awards. After working with quarterback coach Steve Clarkson in the respectable “Air 7” camp, Clarkson claimed that Barkley was a cross between Joe Montana and Tom Brady, not a bad compliment. Barkley then signed with his dream school, USC, and joined the team this past spring after graduating high school one full semester early in December of 2008. While many were excited about the presence of Matt Barkley, everyone knew that sophomore Aaron Corp would be the starter for the 2009 season. When Corp went down with a knee injury just a few weeks before the season opener, head coach Pete Carroll announced that Barkley would be the first-ever true freshman to start for the USC Trojans. 

Barkley’s first game was against a much less talented San Jose State squad in which Barkley handled his business, managed the game, and even threw for a touchdown. Critics were impressed but wanted to see Barkley’s play against a serious competitor in Week 2, the Ohio State Buckeyes. And after a late touchdown winning drive by Matt Barkley, here we are. 

At first glance, Barkley looks like a prototypical surfer from SoCal; 6’2, 230 pounds, bleach blonde hair, from Newport Beach California. However, on the field, he looks like he was born to do this. His arm strength is there but will likely improve. His accuracy is good enough at this point to take the Trojans to the Bowl. He seems very comfortable and has great poise in the pocket. And other than a few mistakes here and there, Barkley’s decision-making is on point. And he’s still a FRESHMAN. The potential for this kid is through the roof. A young guy from California with boy band looks and a boatload of football talent, his presence in the NFL will surpass that of Tom Brady present day. I don’t want to jinx the guy or try and predict the future, but you can only imagine that Barkley gets better as time goes on. And if he progresses at the pace he is now, Barkley will be the #1 draft pick in three years. His poster will be mass-produced and pinned on the walls of every football fan, from 11-year-old girls to 45-year-old men. Shoot, he’ll be a pin-up on the wall of non-football fans. The kid just has it.  

And it should be noted, especially for all the men that will thoroughly hate the “pretty boy” quarterback, Barkley plays guitar for and sings for the choir at his church. He is also very active in community service as 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. How’s that for bringing him home to meet the parents? Girls across America will fall head-over-heels for this guy, he’ll be all over the tabloids with some hot-to-trot girlfriend, and Tom Brady will suddenly look like the bottom of an old shoe. Cash it!