Carroll names Barkley starter


The buzz was building on campus throughout the day, so by the time practice let out, true freshman Matt Barkley was practically mauled by media and fans alike.

All of the hoopla surrounding Barkley stemmed from the announcement by coach Pete Carroll that he would be the starting quarterback when USC opens its season Sept. 5 against San Jose State. Barkley will be the first true freshman to ever start a season opener for the Trojans.

Here to stay · 18-year-old Matt Barkley is slated to become the first true freshman quarterback to start a season opener for the Trojans. - Nathaniel Gonzalez | Daily Trojan

Here to stay · 18-year-old Matt Barkley is slated to become the first true freshman quarterback to start a season opener for the Trojans. - Nathaniel Gonzalez | Daily Trojan

Barkley, who enrolled at USC last spring to get a head start on his college career, said he had been looking forward to this moment since he arrived on campus.

“That’s what I came here in January hoping to do, so to finally get it was pretty special,” Barkley said.

Barkley said he had no idea that he would be named the starter today.

“[Carroll] told me after class,” Barkley said. “I just thought we were watching film or something, and [Carroll] told me, ‘Congratulations.’”

Redshirt sophomore Aaron Corp entered fall camp as the starter but suffered a knee injury and fell behind in the race to be the starting quarterback. Carroll said that the time Corp missed gave Barkley the opportunity to assert himself as the starter.

“It was a factor in that it created an opportunity for Matt to get all of the turns and reps so that he could grow so fast through the process,” Carroll said. “He had double the reps he would normally have, and he took full advantage of it.”

Barkley looked sharp in his first practice as the starting quarterback, connecting on a number of deep passes with the first team. He also threw a lot of short routes and had one of his passes intercepted.

Corp, meanwhile, had a solid practice as well but did not get as many reps with the first team. Carroll voiced his concerns yesterday about Corp’s mobility, and the sophomore seemed to continue to favor his leg.

That seemed to be the determining factor in Carroll’s decision.

“[Corp’s] done miraculously well just to be out here practicing, and I’m proud as can be of him,” Carroll said. “But at this time it’s clear to me that Matt’s well ahead, and it’s his job right now.”

Carroll clarified earlier in the day that this would not be a case of reevaluating Barkley after the San Jose State game on Sept. 5.

“He’s the starting quarterback at USC — it’s not a one-game deal,” Carroll said.

Barkley credited the competition with Corp and backup Mitch Mustain with pushing him to the spot he’s in now.

“I think [Corp] and Mitch have made me a better quarterback,” Barkley said.

Barkley, who is 18, will be expected to lead the high-powered Trojan offense, despite his age.

“He’s the general of our team, and he has to act like that,” said junior receiver Damian Williams. “He’s got to grow up now. I told him, ‘It’s not high school anymore. It’s time to play.’”

Everything seemed to fall into place for Barkley since he arrived on campus in January, starting with former USC quarterback Mark Sanchez’s decision to skip his senior season and enter the NFL draft. This paved the way for Barkley to battle it out with Corp for the starting spot.

Barkley ended spring practice second on the depth chart behind Corp, but the experience he gained by enrolling early would prove to be invaluable.

“It was huge to get that head start with the offense and the terminology,” Barkley said. “If I wasn’t here in January, I wouldn’t be in the picture.”

Barkley had learned enough in the spring that when Corp went down with the injury, he was prepared to make the most of his time.

Barkley will get his first shot as the starter in a game environment at the Trojans’ final team scrimmage at the Coliseum on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.