Put on a higher platform
by Nick Ironside
Quarterback Matt Barkley knows about pressure, and the legacy attached to being powerhouse Mater Dei High School’s leader on offense, and the 2007 Gatorade National Player of the Year. Nick Ironside spoke to him regarding that, and his recent committment to become a Trojan.
In every state, you’ll find high school football teams that run different styles of offenses. Some are the type to run the ball almost every down, some will mix it up a bit, and some utilize the quarterback like no other offense, allowing him to do as he wishes in terms of running or passing. But with Matt Barkley, a three-year varsity starter at Mater Dei high school in Santa Ana, CA, the offense is all about passing.
“This last season at Mater Dei our coaches - they really let me throw the ball a lot more then usual,” said Barkley. That must be the reason he eclipsed the 3,000-yard passing mark - with 3,560 passing yards and 35-touchdown passes.
Barkley stated that passing more was most likely one of the factors that led to him being known and recruited all around the country.
“I think that put me on a higher platform, just being able to throw the ball so much, and I was pretty successful.” The pressure however, of being one of the top players in the country won’t put any extra pressure on Barkley.
“I’m pretty adaptable to knocking that stuff out, and my parents keep me in line, and all the coaches, and players at Mater Dei - they keep me in line,” Barkley stated. “So there’s not too much pressure.”
Barkley, a southern California native, decided to stay close to home during college, and chose USC. But distance wasn’t the only reason.
“All my trips that I went up there at SC, when I went up to the Coliseum for games - just seeing that crowd and being on that field, it’s such an awesome feeling, said Barkley. “And being on campus with coach Carroll, and some of the other players and recruits, you know how much fun they’re having. In my mind it’s so awesome up there, and the spirit of the school. I love the colors, the red and gold.”
There was one more important factor to Barkley wanting to attend school there. “It just felt in my heart, that’s where I wanted to go to school.”
Barkley committed to USC back in January, so although he received a lot of offers it seems his choice was clear in his mind from day one. Barkley didn’t even have a second choice - but USC wasn’t the only school considered.
“I want to say there weren’t necessarily a top two, but the remaining four; the top four were probably UCLA, Cal, Oregon, and Florida.”
Another beneficial factor for USC with Barkley committing early, is that he can do a little recruiting of his own. He’s already started that part of his duties as an early commit.
“I’ve talked to a lot of the recruits in my grade - I’ve talked to Manti Te’o, a linebacker, Shaq Evans, and some of the receivers from Los Angeles,” Barkley sad. “And also the recruits who have already committed, I’ve been talking to them. So it’s fun getting to know them, and I’ll probably get to know them better in the future.”
Barkley should recruit receivers pretty well - he’s the prototypical passer, having a strong arm and accuracy. He’s also a student of the game, and looks at one specific player to model his game around.
“Well I really like watching Tom Brady and how he plays - the mentality he has, and being a student of the game. He studies the game more - and probably Peyton Manning does the same thing.” Barkley then went back to Brady.
“But Tom Brady - I love the way he plays, and the fourth quarter comebacks, and being a leader on the field. I don’t care what everyone says about the Super Bowl, I still like him.”
Tom Brady isn’t a native of Southern California, but other great high school quarterbacks such as John Elway and Jimmy Clausen are. Barkley responds to why the area of southern California produces some of the nations finest quarterbacks.
“Year round you can throw, you can practice - the weather’s perfect for quarterbacks, and the coaching down here is phenomenal - all the high schools down here, they all have good quarterbacks coaches, and they produce such great players. And there a lot of high schools that run offenses that suit the quarterback,” said Barkley. “So the weather’s perfect, you can throw year round, and I think the quarterbacks have the mentality to try and be the best.”
Being the best always comes with a burden, and that is having to be a leader. Barkley knows he is one, and admits he still has work to do in that category.
“I try and lead by example - the one thing I have been working on is being more vocal, but I just go out, whether it’s on the field or in the classroom and try and outwork everyone,” says Barkley.
“And hopefully people see that, and notice that. I’m not the type of guy who’ll go and cuss guys out if they’re not doing the right thing, but I’ll say what needs to be said. But for the most part, I go out there working my hardest and show guys what it means to outwork everyone.”
Barkley definitely has outworked people on the field - his arm has also made defensive backs work extra too. But as Barkley went back onto his college topic, there were a few things about his goals he wanted to make clear.
“I’m not going to guarantee anything. I’m not going to go out and say we’re going to win four national championships and what not, but as I said; I’m just going to go in and work my hardest, and see what happens then,” stated Barkley.
“I’ve really gotten to know Mark Sanchez really well, and I know Aaron Corp, and Mitch Mustain - the quarterbacks there right now, so they really got me used to the program, which is nice. But I’m not going to guarantee anything.”
Not guaranteeing anything on an average college team is one thing. But Barkley also knows USC is not your everyday football team.
“One team that’s a big threat right now might drop off for a couple years, and USC always seems like they get the best recruits in the country. I’ll be surrounded by great players, the best coaches - so I don’t know if there will be too much in our way [of a national title].”
Barkley also knows, college will be harder then high school; and college is harder in different ways for everyone. Barkley knows what he’ll have to face to play college football.
“On the field - probably definitely the speed, and just how big those guys are in college football - that’ll be different and I’ll have to get used to that.” Barkley then spoke about his non-football life.
“Off the field, just getting used to college classes, because it’s way different then high school. And then just managing myself and staying on track.”
Barkley also isn’t just a student athlete. He has a normal life too. He names playing the guitar and hanging out with friends, as well as going to the beach as just a few things he does in his spare time.
Then, when asked if he was looking forward to a certain rivalry while playing at USC, Barkley quickly responded.
“It’s got to be UCLA man; it’s got to be UCLA. Just going in there - I loved the game this year, and that goes deep, so definitely UCLA.”