His decision could affect the Seahawks in a big way.
To the casual observer this probably seems cut and dried, he's coming out right? Remember the last USC QB named Matt who was faced with the same option? If Matt Leinart had come out in 2005 he would have likely been the top overall pick, but he stayed, slipped in the eyes of a number of NFL talent evaluators, and ended up going 10th overall the next year.
No way Barkley makes the same mistake, right?
Not so fast.
We've heard whispers for weeks that Barkley might be leaning toward another year at 'SC, and I think there are legitimate reasons to listen to them:
1) Barkley didn't declare for the draft right after his left tackle Matt Kalil did, as many thought he would.
2) Luck is entrenched as the consensus #1 pick in April's draft, so Barkley has no shot at it this year, but he would most certainly be a candidate for that honor in 2013, and you only get one shot at that.
3) USC is bowl-eligible next season, and they looked like a BCS-quality team last month. A Barkley return would give them a great chance at the Pac-12 title, and possibly more.
4) The new NFL CBA has drastically reduced the length and dollars that top draft picks are getting, perhaps minimizing that as a factor for potential top picks.
5) He was a shocking non-factor in this year's Heisman race, not even getting an invite to New York, next year he would be a preseason favorite, probably THE favorite.
6) All he has to do is look north up I-5 to see that coming back for another year of college football CAN work out, as it did for Andrew Luck.
Take all that into account, and the fact that Barkley seems to be a well-grounded, mature kid who is motivated by a lot of things other than money, and I think it's better than a 50/50 shot he's about to tell us all he's staying at USC.
How does this affect the Seahawks? We all know the Hawks need a young franchise QB, we've talked that one to death. If Barkley and Robert Griffen III (who has yet to declare HIS intentions for the draft as well) are both available this year, it increases their chances of moving up to finally get that guy. At worst, it pushes other QB prospects down to where Seattle will be picking in the first or second round.
In my opinion, Barkley is the perfect guy for us. If he comes out this year, we have a shot to get him, but if he waits until 2013 and goes #1, no way. If he AND Griffen stay in school, we could be left looking at the Austin Davis and Ryan Tannehill's of the world in the second round. Not ideal.
And I haven't even mentioned the fact that a Barkley return makes USC a beast next year in the Pac-12. I don't think any of us would be broken-hearted if we knew we didn't have to face him next season.
So for selfish reasons, here's hoping he declares for the draft today. At least we don't have to wait much longer to find out.
Well, sounds like he's staying at USC. Guess we'll have to hope Griffen decides to make the jump now.
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