2012 NFL Mock Draft: Matt Barkley's Entry Would Make This an Exciting QB Class

USC's junior QB Matt Barkley filed the appropriate papers to forgo his senior season for the NFL draft. While this is just a technicality to allow Barkley to keep his options open, it certainly seems logical to assume he would make the jump.

Assuming he does, this QB class for 2012 just got a little more interesting. Obviously, the top guy and overall pick would still be Andrew Luck, but Barkley may be able to edge ahead of Robert Griffin III for the second QB taken.

Barkley dealt with very difficult circumstances this year with the Trojans' postseason ineligibility, and he still had a great season. Barkley has thrown for 3528 yards, 39 TDs and only seven INT, completing 69 percent of his passes, for an insane QB rating of 161.2.

Teams like Washington, Miami and especially Seattle with the Pete Carroll connection, would seem like teams that would have interest.

Here is a mock draft adjusted for Barkley's potential inclusion. It has a large Pac-12 flavor:

1. Colts: QB Andrew Luck—Stanford

2. Rams: OT Matt Kalil—USC

3. Vikings: WR Alshon Jeffery—South Carolina

4. Jaguars: WR Justin Blackmon—Oklahoma State

5. Panthers: DT Brandon Thompson—Clemson

6. Dolphins: QB Robert Griffin III—Baylor

7. Redskins: QB Matt Barkley—USC

8. Cardinals: OT Jonathan Martin—Stanford

9. Eagles: DT Devon Still—Penn State

10. Chiefs: QB Ryan Tannehill—Texas A&M

11. Seahawks: CB Morris Claiborne—LSU

12. Browns: WR Michael Floyd—Notre Dame

13. Chargers: OT Riley Reiff—Iowa

14. Buccaneers: CB Dre Kirkpatrick—Alabama

15. Bills: DE Quinton Coples—North Carolina

16. Titans: G David DeCastro—Stanford

17. Jets: DE/LB Courtney Upshaw—Alabama

18. Giants: MLB Manti Te'o—Notre Dame

19. Broncos: RB Trent Richardson—Alabama

20. Lions: ILB Vontaze Burfict—Arizona St.

21. Browns: RB David Wilson—Virginia Tech

22. Bengals: CB Alfonzo Dennard—Nebraska

23. Bears: G Cordy Glenn: Georgia

24. Texans: RB Lamar Miller—Miami, FL

25. Bengals: RB Chris Polk—Washington

26. Cowboys: DT Jerel Worthy—Michigan State

27. Ravens: ILB Dont'a Hightower—Alabama

28. 49ers: OT Mike Adams—Ohio State

29. Patriots: CB Janorris Jenkins—North Alabama

30. Patriots: WR Nick Toon—Wisconsin

31. Steelers: G Kelechi Osemele—Iowa State

32. Packers: OLB Brandon Jenkins—Florida State