Matt Barkley wins Wuerffel Trophy


Senior quarterback Matt Barkley was awarded the 2012 Wuerffel Trophy, All Sports Association, Inc. announced Tuesday.

High character · Senior quarterback Matt Barkley has thrown 36 touchdown passes in 2012. He also maintains a 3.21 grade point averaage. – Sean Roth | Daily Trojan

Barkley, a four-year starter and three-time team captain for the Trojans, has been a finalist for the award the last three seasons. The award is given to the player in college football who best combines scholarship, community service and play on the field. To be eligible, the player must consistently perform service, must be a starter and have at least a 3.0 grade point average.

Barkley leads the Pac-12 in touchdown passes with 36 and has the conference career record with 116 scoring tosses. He was a second team Academic All-Pac-12 last season and holds a 3.21 GPA. He spent last spring break in Haiti helping underprivileged families and took several teammates with him on the trip.

“As a quarterback in college football, you have such a huge platform that you can use to help people,” Barkley said in a statement. “I remember looking up to guys like Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart when they were at USC, so I know how much kids look up to this position.”

The trophy is named after Danny Wuerffel, who played quarterback at Florida and won the Heisman Trophy and national championship in 1996. He was well known for being a devout Christian and for doing community service himself.

“Not only is Matt a phenomenal quarterback, he’s also an exceptional person,” Wuerffel said in a statement. “From the things he has done off the field to the way that he’s given of himself completely, he deserves every honor that comes his way. I’m proud to welcome him and he will be a fine member of the Wuerffel Trophy family.”

Barkley will receive the award on Feb. 8, 2013 at the All-Sports Association banquet at the Emerald Coast Convention Center in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

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