Matt Barkley Decision: 5 Reasons Why He Stayed a USC Trojan

Matt Barkley is coming back to USC for his senior season.

Trojan Nation has surely erupted into a frenzy at this time, with Barkley's decision coming after a sensational junior season in which he proved himself to be one of the top players in all of college football.

He has been through a rough time period at USC, none in part to his play or any wrongdoing off the field, but rather, illegal benefits to other players before his time as a Trojan.

But he stuck through not being able to play in a bowl game and being slightly thrown aside by Heisman voters because Southern Cal had always been his school, and he never wavered from that. And he still hasn't.

With Barkley returning, USC could look to their future as a complete 180-degree turn from their recent past. Barkley has a chance now to take the Trojans back to the promise land they found not long ago, but what seems like it after being banned from even participating in a bowl the last two years.

By returning, Barkley has indeed put himself in a spot to benefit greatly next season and beyond, and here are some reasons why...

5. A Special Trojan

Lane Kiffin said it himself.

If Matt Barkley returned to Southern Cal for his senior year, he would be a "special" Trojan. And he will, yes indeed.

Barkley has a chance to put himself among the great names that have put on the pads at USC, and that's saying more than what it does at most programs.

Barkley staying is a better decision than Matt Lienart staying for two reasons. One being that Luck wasn't going to go first overall this season, as Lienart might have, had he skipped his senior season.

And the other reason is, Lienart had his national title. Barkley, due to lack of scholarships for the school and a bowl ban, will get his first shot next season.

Which is a great reason to be a Trojan one more year.

4. The Storm Has Passed

As we said before, Barkley didn't have to come to USC, and many thought he should have transferred once USC was hit with the violations that disallowed them from competing in bowl games.

But Barkley stuck through, and now, the Trojans are primed for a big year next season, with the bowl ban of the last two years being removed from the program.

And with the ban gone, so is the cloud that has hung over USC since allegations that Reggie Bush was given improper benefits. Bush gave back his Heisman, Pete Carroll ran for the door and USC was hit hard by the NCAA. But in the midst of all of it, Barkley remained.

So Barkley has weathered the storm, and now, he can finally play for something much more and not have his season end early as it has the last couple of years.

3. Front-Runner for Heisman

Whether Barkley was slighted a bit this year by not being invited to New York for the Heisman ceremony will remain a mystery to me. But I don't expect anything of the sort after next season.

Barkley has almost certainly made himself the front runner for Heisman after playing "dark horse" for much of this season's race.

With all of this year's finalists most likely headed for the NFL draft, Barkley would be the clear favorite for the "stiff-arm" trophy come next December. Leading his team to a Pac-12 championship, and possibly more, would greatly boost his bid.

Some would say he almost had better numbers than Andrew Luck and that he deserved to be involved in the ceremony this year, but Matt Barkley will surely get more than his fair chance to draw over voters next season.

2. National Title Hopes

It's clear to see that USC was one of the hotter teams in the country in the last few weeks of the college football regular season. Barkley was a huge part of that late-season success.

With Barkley returning, the Trojans have easily positioned themselves as not only clear preseason favorites to win the Pac-12, but also have a strong chance to compete for a national title.

Sure, the SEC has dominated the BCS Championship in recent years, but USC looks like a serious contender to battle for the right to play whoever wins the best conference in the country.

And with Barkley, an already top-tier squad has suddenly morphed into into what could be one of the top two or three dangerous teams in the nation.

1. Likelihood of Going First Overall

If he had entered the NFL draft this season, Barkley likely would have went in the top 10. But with waiting a year, Barkley has put himself in a position to be the top pick in the 2013 draft.

Barkley is NFL ready now, but along with the incentives we have already discussed, the extra money in moving what would be seven or eight spots is another huge reason for Barkley to stay.

In this case, everyone wins. Barkley's stock goes up much higher coming out of the 2013 draft instead of next year's. And USC, giddy with excitement at this point, will have their program-changing quarterback.

In the end, Barkley made the right choice, and he will remain a Trojan for one more season. Why it may seem a risk has been taken, there's plenty of examples to support his case in staying.