USC Football: Is Matt Kalil to NFL a Sign of Things to Come for Trojans?

For two-and-a-half weeks, Trojan fans have been waiting anxiously to find out whether or not their "big four" draft eligible underclassmen of left tackle Matt Kalil, quarterback Matt Barkley, defensive end Nick Perry and safety T.J. McDonald will declare for the NFL draft.

Now, for at least one of them, they know.

Both Scout.com and ESPN are reporting that Matt Kalil, the Trojans' first team All-American tackle will indeed make himself eligible for pro ball.

After a stellar 2011 season in which he didn't allow a sack and blocked four kicks on special teams, the opportunity for NFL riches was just too good to pass up for Kalil, who has been projected as perhaps the second player taken overall.

While, certainly, this is a blow for the Trojans, it was by no means unexpected. Kalil is ready for the NFL, and his return to USC was a long shot at best.

But what about the others?

Well, for Nick Perry, his announcement that he also will be leaving could come at any moment. According to an article by Scout.com, Perry has already hired an agent, although this is yet to confirmed by Perry himself.

Given his family's financial circumstances, the defensive end, who had 9.5 sacks this year, was expected to go the professional route as well.

That leaves T.J. McDonald and Matt Barkley as the final two possible Trojans with returning possibilities.

Many feel that McDonald could improve his draft status by returning for the 2012 season, and his family's financial considerations should not have nearly the impact that it does for Perry.

As for Matt Barkley, who knows?

Barkley continues to play his decision to come back close to the vest, but certainly, Kalil's decision to go pro can't help Trojan fans in their desire to see the talented quarterback return for next season's campaign.

Exactly where breaking in a new left tackle to protect his blind side falls in Barkley's decision is anyone's guess. What is for certain, though, is that Barkley's decision will be the biggest news of the off season. If he comes back, the Trojans are a top five team entering the 2012 season. If not, the road for the Trojans becomes less certain.

So, on this day, USC fans find the first domino in the form of Matt Kalil falls the NFL's way. Fans of the program just hope that Matt Barkley won't be the last.