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Breaking Down USC Football's 2009 Recruiting Class: Matt Barkley, QB

Name:  Matt Barkley

Height:  6'3

Weight:  230lbs

HS:  Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA)

GPA:  3.77

Awards:  2008 Gatorade National Player of the Year (Junior), MVP of Under Armour All-American Game

Final Rank (Rivals):  5-star, #1 Pro QB, #5 Overall

Est. Starter (Reach/Expected):  2009/2011

Positives:  Experience, Arm Strength, Intangibles

• How many QBs out there can say they were a 4-year starter for one of the top HS football programs in the nation?  Matt will bring a unique level of experience under his belt along with NFL caliber talent.  At the Under Armour All-American Game, Matt was a clear notch above any QB on either side, which earned him the MVP trophy.  He was a little loose at times, but the special velocity and timing in his throws and command of the offense was clearly apparent.  When Matt has time to step into this throws, he throws absolute darts.  He's a prototypical pro-style QB that has a ton of potential at the next level.

Negatives:  Mobility

• Watching Matt drop back and move around the pocket, you can almost count the number of steps he takes with one hand.  Whereas Mark Sanchez seemed to always be bouncing on the balls of his feet and moving at any sign of pressure, Matt stays in the pocket and buys every second before picking his receiver.

One thing I've noticed with Matt is his penchant to throw almost flat-footed when facing pressure. It's interesting because he gets away with it due to his arm strength and almost seems to use it as a counter for his lack of mobility, but it's without question a habit Matt will have to temper at the next level.  Even facing the elite talent at the Under Armour All-American game, on a couple of throws it was obvious Matt was trying too hard to rely on his arm.

Recruiting:  No QB in 2010? + Victor Blackwell

• Matt will likely drive away any elite QB in the 2010 class with the fearful proposition of having to play 1-year behind MB.  This is definitely not a bad thing and might actually be ideal when considering healthy separation on the depth chart.

• Should be interesting to see if Matt will have pull in bringing in former teammate, Victor Blackwell (WR), who will be without a doubt one of the top receiver prospects out of CA in 2011. With Matt likely starting in '11 or '12, it will definitely be enticing for Victor to reunite with his HS QB.

Matt is clearly an elite QB talent, who is going to be scary good if given good protection.  With Tyron Smith and Matt Kalil developing as we speak, we may very well have a dominant line when Matty B. takes over the QB spot.

Final Rivals100 Prospect Ranking: Seven SC Commits on the List

From Rivals.com:

11.  Matt Kalil, OL (Servite, Anaheim, CA) - 5*

15.  Tyron Smith, OL (Rancho Verde, Moreno Valley, CA) - 5*

31.  Blake Ayles, TE (Lutheran, Orange, CA) - 4*

40.  Wes Horton, DE (Notre Dame, Sherman Oaks, CA) - 4*

42.  Armond Armstead, DT (Pleasant Grove, Elk Grove, CA) - 4*

79.  Brice Butler, WR (Norcross, Norcross, GA) - 4*

96.  D.J. Shoemate, WR (Servite, Anaheim, CA) - 4*

D.J. Shoemate took the biggest hit, going from a top 30 5-star all the way down to #96 and a 4-star rating.  Personally, I'm not surprised with the move because I've never thought too highly of D.J..  I think he's going to be a solid player in college simply because he's coachable and comes from a great program in Servite, but he just doesn't have the "IT" factor to become a superstar IMO.  I know some recruiting experts, like Garry Paskwietz of WeAreSC.com, thought he was one of the best RB/players in CA this past season and is going to be a tremendous recruit, but I just don't see it the same way.  Garry obviously knows a lot more than I do, but he's also been wrong his fair share.   Also, there is no way D.J. ever becomes a starting RB for SC, barring some ridiculous string of injuries; I see him as a receiver or safety at the next level.  But with that said, I still think #96 is too low of a ranking; I think he should be somewhere in the 50-70 range.  Also on the topic of overrated players, I'll be surprised if Wes Horton ever pans out, I think he's way too upright as a DE and should be at the bottom of the top 100 at best. 

On the flip side, I really like Blake Ayles and think he should be a 5-star prospect, which he essentially is since he's ranked at #31.  He probably won't make an impact right away because of our TE depth, but he should be a very good one in the future.  Also, I've praised Armond Armstead numerous times on this blog back when he was a 3-star prospect.  I also think Joe Adams will be a very good CB assuming he doesn't break out as a receiver first. 

New Rivals 100 Ranking - Seven Trojans Make the List

From Rivals.com:

6.  Matt Kalil (Anaheim, CA) - OL

11.  Tyron Smith (Moreno Valley, CA) - OL

22.  D.J. Shoemate (Anaheim, CA) - ATH

47.  Blake Ayles (Orange, CA) - TE

71.  Armond Armstead (Elk Grove, CA) - OG/DT

92.  Joe Adams (Little Rock, AR) - WR/CB

95.  Brice Butler (Norcross, GA) - WR

Looks like another top 5 class.  Amazing how T.J. Bryant dropped off the top 100 list when earlier in the season they were hyping him as the best CB prospects ever to come out of Tallahassee. 

The Updated Rivals100

Rivals.com released their new Rivals100 today and there are 6 Trojans on the list:

6.  Matt Kalil, OL

• Kalil is a franchise left tackle that can’t be beat on the pass rush.

11.  Tyron Smith, OL

• Smith is a two-time NIKE Camp MVP and an amazing right tackle prospect.

22.  D.J. Shoemate, ATH

• Shoemate looked back to old self at the USC Rising Senior Camp.

42.  Blake Ayles, TE

• Ayles is the nation’s most well-rounded tight end. Averaged 14 yards a catch in 2006.

68.  Armond Armstead, DT

• Armstead, who also is an AAU basketball star, had 79 tackles as a junior and dominated at USC’s summer camp.

76.  Brice Butler, WR

• Sticky hands led to nine touchdowns as a junior.

I personally like this list better than Scout.com's.  For example, I'm high on players like Armond Armstead (3-star on Scout; 4-star on Rivals) and Tyron Smith (4-star on Scout; 5-star on Rivals) and not so high on players like Matt Meyer (4-star on Rivals; 5-star on Scout).  Then again, I'm not a recruiting expert so what do I know?

Tyron Smith Will Kick Your A**

Pictures of the latest commit from Scout.com:

The guy was simply manhandling d-linemen at the USC Rising Stars Camp this weekend.  He's currently rated a 5-star/#2 OT on Rivals.com and 4-star/#7 OT on Scout.  This has to be one of the best O-Line classes in SC Football history...