Football's New "Chosen One"

There is one in every sport.  He's the kid who has better attributes than the hall of famer.  The one who will redefine the position.  "The chosen one".  In basketball it was LeBron James.  In baseball it was Ken Griffey Jr. In hockey it was Sidney Crosby.  Even golf had Tiger Woods.  So it seems odd that America's most popular sport, football, has been held without one for so long.

Sure, there have been attempts to find one. 

First it was Todd Marinovich.  Dubbed "the perfect quarterback", his hype was able to land him in the first round of the NFL draft (despite an average college career).  After that he fizzled out, and now more people recognize him from his mug shot than his football card. 

Next up was Ron Pawlus,  Beano Cook said he would win a pair of Heisman’s, before he even took a snap at Notre Dame.  After he took them, however, he was left with no professional prospects and eventually shifted gears to coaching.

Recently Jimmy Clausen was handed the ropes to the football kingdom.  His Notre Dame commitment press conference got as much press as SEC media day.  Sports Illustrated called him, "The boy with the golden arm".  Now Clausen may turn out to have a fine career, but it's unlikely he will ever win those four national championships he wanted when he committed.

Now it's Matt Barkley's turn.

Once again, he looks like the perfect candidate.  A laid back, blonde haired surfer from Southern California going to USC.  Sounds like the perfect match right? 

At Mater Dei (his Orange County high school), Barkley became the first quarterback to start on varsity as a Freshman since, you guessed it, Todd Marinovich.  He won state championships, player of the year awards and attended all star events.  He was coached by quarterback guru Steve Clarkson, who described him as a cross between Tom Brady and Joe Montana.

Now, just weeks before his 19th birthday, Barkley has been handed the key to LA football.  Not only does he become the first true Freshman to ever start for USC, he becomes football's next chance at a true prodigy.

Maybe Barkley will be "Tom Montana", maybe he won't.  The one thing that is for certain is that everyone will be watching.