Barkley's Return

A lot of people are questioning Matt Barkley's decision to return to the USC next year. As a college football fan, I can't be more happy for him and his family and for college football on the whole. The decision was great for the college game as one of the premier schools retains its best player.

The naysayers say that Barkley should come out this year because he'd be an early first round pick. Depending on which Mock Draft you were looking at, Barkley was either the second or third projected quarterback in the draft. The draft isn't going to go away next year, but Barkley is risking injury by returning to USC.

I don't think that's a big deal. Barkley has a solid family situation, so there is no need to rush his return. We've seen a few players come back in recent years. Sam Bradford decided to return after his Heisman Sophomore year, and while he did get hurt in his junior season, that did not prevent Bradford from being the first overall pick. Andrew Luck came back this year and is projected by many to be the first pick in the draft. With Bradley's skill level, I think he's in the same boat as these player. He'll be a top pick barring a very serious injury.

To continue on the draft theme, Matt Bradley will probably be the top quarterback available in next year's draft. He could be the best quarterback from USC since Carson Palmer. I don't think that next year's draft will be as deep at the quarterback position, and he might have more leverage to decide his destination as a result without relinquishing his draft position and locked in money.

Often, high first round picks are thrown into the fire with a team that doesn't have the necessary supporting cast to give them an opportunity to succeed. With all that goes to adjusting to the NFL game, having to deal with being the only guy can be troublesome. Having the leverage to decide where you go can also help get him in a location to best succeed.

There are other very important factors that I think pro-NFL people ignore.

Going to college is a once in a lifetime thing. After Barkley makes his decision to leave, he can't come back and play college football again. If he will have regrets for leaving, he shouldn't go. It appears that that is the case with Barkley. He genuinely loves being at USC and being a part of the USC community. It's where his heart is right now and that's where he should be.

Furthermore, there is the competitive aspect of it. While USC has maintained a level of success on the field, the last two years they've been ineligible for a bowl. This season, they would have been in the Pac-12 Championship. Next year, USC will be stacked. They might even have a chance at a National title, and that might be something that Barkley wants to be a part of. He has a very good chance of going to a very good bowl next year and having a very successful senior season that could see him winning the Heisman. Those are all reasons to stay.

I understand what the NFL guys are saying about the money, but the money isn't going anywhere. The dream of playing in big time college games and enjoying college life will disappear with a decision to leave. That's what he would've passed up. That's why I'm 100% behind Matt Barkley's decision to stay at USC.