Matt Barkley Returns to USC for Every Reason Except an Education

Matt Barkley announced yesterday that he will return for his senior season as quarterback of the USC Trojans in 2012. During his press conference that just absolutely reeked of Lane Kiffin self promotion, he listed off his reasons for passing on making the leap to the NFL and earning millions to enjoy his final college football season.

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"We had a successful season because of our dedication, skill and hard work and our team's willingness to fight on through the negativity and unfairness that sought to bring down our program," Barkley said. "I am fully prepared and ready to move on to the NFL. It is my dream to play quarterback in the NFL, and I intend to make that dream a reality. Our USC football team has been through some tough times and we have persevered. But the 2012 team has some serious unfinished business to attend to, and I intend to play a part in it."

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As expected, in reaction to the news everyone is writing about whether he made the right or wrong decision to return and how nice it is to see star players turn down the money and fame of the NFL to play their senior year.

What about the education?

Notice how finishing his Bachelor's degree in Communications isn't being mentioned in much of the analysis.

Whenever the debate of whether college athletes should be compensated the immediate argument against paying athletes is that they are already benefiting from a free education. If anyone subscribes to this thought process you would assume that the value of the degree is the reason that players suit up for colleges and universities across the country.

If that was the case then why do athletes routinely leave early in college football and basketball in order to turn pro and cash in on their talents? Obviously, the lure of the money outweighs the appeal of the degree.

How many college football players would still play college football if there was an alternate path to the NFL like a minor-league system in which they could be paid out of high school?

I understand there are players across the country that do value their degree and are using the opportunity to its full advantage, I am not talking about them. I am talking about the elite athletes who make decisions primarily based on how it affects their draft position and professional careers.

Would Matt Barkley make the same decision if Andrew Luck left last year? It's not a question of his character, but I personally feel that by staying another year he puts himself at the top of the quarterback draft class, so staying gives him an edge in the 2013 draft.

The Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Rams, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the six teams in the NFL that currently have four wins or fewer.

With the exception of the Colts, who are expected to go for Andrew Luck, the remaining five teams all have young quarterbacks in Christian Ponder, Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, Blaine Gabbert and Josh Freeman. The likelihood that they would spend a first-round pick on a quarterback is unlikely.

Barkley isn't Cam Newton.

Again, I have to question exactly how altruistic his reasons for returning are. It seems to me that even though he is a good kid, has the second-highest GPA on the team and probably truly enjoys the college experience, that his decision was largely influenced by how his draft stock will be boosted by another season.

Can't wait for a year from now when everyone will re-evaluate his decision for every reason other than education for this "student-athlete."

Jamal Wilburg is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.

Follow him on twitter @JWilburg or visit his website www.jamalwilburg.com