USC Quarterback Matt Barkley Contemplating Return for Senior Season

“I think finishing out on a good note here at USC was something I wanted to do, and now that we’ve done that, there’s a chance for my future to be financially secure, to move on. There’s a couple reasons but it almost seems like the reasons to stay might outweigh those [to leave] with all the guys coming back. Both sides, I look at it and it almost seems to good to be true,” Barkley said on Sportscenter.

As of right now, the star quarterback from USC characterizes his decision to leave for the NFL in 2012 as “50-50,” and I think at this point, he is genuinely torn about whether or not he should come back.

The junior had a stellar 2011 campaign, passing for 3,528 yards, 39 touchdowns, and only seven interceptions. There is no question in my mind right now that if he were to enter the draft, he would undoubtedly be gone within the first five to ten picks, and possibly even the first or second player selected overall.

That being said, I feel like Barkley also has a great chance of returning to SC for a senior season. He and the Trojans return what is potentially the most talented young roster in all of college football next season, and Barkley realizes that returning next year is a tantalizing option.

This young man is going to have a very, very tough decision to make. He will be a top 10 pick if he declares, but USC will have a chance to be BCS champions if he comes back and performs like he is expected to in his senior season, and it would be the first time he tasted the post-season.