Grade
82.0 ?- 6'2" Height
- 30 5/8" Arm Length
- 227LBS. Weight
- 10 1/8" Hands
Overview
Barkley was a high school All-American at well-known California program Mater Dei as a senior, following up a junior season where he was the nation’s Gatorade High School Player of the Year. He finished his studies there a semester early in order to start his career with the Trojans. Having that spring experience helped him as a true freshman, as he took over the starting job after Aaron Corp suffered an injury (which eventually led Corp to transfer to Richmond) and has not relinquished it since.
He started 36 games over the past three years, losing just two to injury (2009 vs. Washington with a bruised shoulder, 2010 vs. Notre Dame with a high ankle sprain). He ended his career with school passing records for yardage and touchdowns –- no mean feat at a school where Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart once took snaps. Barkley improved his touchdown-to-interception ratio (15-14 in 2009, 26-12 in 2010, 39-7 in 2011), as well as his completion percentage (59.9 percent, 62.6 percent, 69.1 percent), in his first three seasons. His 2011 season included a school-record 468 yards passing over Arizona and two six-touchdown efforts against Colorado and UCLA, earning him USC’s team MVP award. He also garnered second-team All-Pac-12 and third-team Associated Press All-American honors, as well as help him finish sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting and as a finalist for the Manning and Wuerffel Awards.
Despite all of those honors, Barkley decided to stay at USC for his senior season. A year that began with Heisman and National Championship expectations was marred by a drop in efficiency (63.6 percent, 36-15), losses, and injury.
Analysis
Weaknesses
Lacks ideal height for the position. Does not have a plus arm, though it’s enough to run a movement-based NFL offense. Allows defenders into plays when he is unable to step into throws, especially when going across the field. Inconsistent making throws against pressure. Does have have physical tools to make throws when he's not set, but has progressed in his ability to find space and get the ball of with awkward release platforms. Ball comes out of his hand poorly at times, though it usually reaches its intended target. Confident enough in his pre-snap read that he’ll stare down his initial target. Sails passes over his receivers’ heads when feeling pressure or in the three-step game. No threat to pick up large chunks of yardage with his feet. Improved completion percentage in 2011 came partially due to quick east-west throws to his talented wideouts. While he had a lot of attempts, there are questions as to what degree structure of the offense featured him or masked his physical limitations. Other than a hot stretch over the second half of his junior season, his production has been almost entirely tied to the strength of his surrounding cast.NFL Comparison
Marc BulgerBottom Line
Expect Barkley to be the fourth first-round passer Southern California has produced since 2003 (Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, Mark Sanchez). Though not elite in terms of his height, arm strength, or mobility, he will capably move an NFL offense with accurate short throws possessing sufficient zip (69.1 percent completion rate in 2011), solid decision-making ability, and enough downfield touch to take advantage of a talented receiving corps. Although it ended disappointingly, the fact he decided to return to school for 2012 to help his team compete for a national championship after being on a postseason ban is just one measure of his intangibles.
×
| Grade | Title | Draft (Round) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 96-100 | Future Hall of Famer | Top Pick | A once-in-a-generation type prospect who could change how his position is played |
| 85-95 | Immediate Starter | 1st | An impact player with the ability/intangibles to become a Pro Bowl player. Expect to start immediately except in a unique situation (i.e. behind a veteran starter). |
| 70-84 | Eventual Starter | 2nd-3rd | A quality player who will contribute to the team early on and is expected to develop into a starter. A reliable player who brings value to the position. |
| 50-69 | Draftable Player | 4th-7th | A prospect with the ability to make team as a backup/role player. Needs to be a special teams contributor at applicable positions. Players in the high range of this category might have long-term potential. |
| 20-49 | Free Agent | UDFA | A player with solid measurables, intangibles, college achievements, or a developing skill that warrants an opportunity in an NFL camp. In the right situation, he could earn a place on a 53-man roster, but most likely will be a practice squad player or a camp body. |
