2009 Classes to Watch: Southern Cal

The USC Trojans finished 5th in the Athlon Sports national recruiting rankings for 2008. Fans of the Troy must have been very disappointed to have not finished No. 1 after three straight recruiting National Championships (04-06). Pete Carroll has made his early claim for regaining that recruiting throne in 2009 - although Mack Brown and Texas are making a strong case for No. 1 at the moment. The Longhorns have 15 commits to USC's measly 10 pledges.

The Horns have the edge in quantity but the Trojans are once again, second to none in quality: of the current 10 commitments, 8 are top-100 and all ten are potential Athlon Consensus members. Two names in particular stand out, however.

This 2009 class starts with the early favorite for No. 1 player in the nation title: Mater Dei's big-arm quarterback Matt Barkley.

Matt Barkley - QB - Santa Ana, Calif. (6-3, 225)

Barkley is likely to be the No. 1 prospect on the 2009 Athlon Consensus 100. He has all the tools. He is big, physical and tough. He stands in the pocket and doesn't mind taking the hit if he can deliver the ball. Which he can do with great efficiency. He has a huge arm and can make every throw on the field. More important than his physical gifts is his mental make-up. He is a natural leader. He has wonderful pocket presence and poise under pressure. It is almost as if he was genetically designed to play quarterback. He also was awarded the first annual Joe Montana Quarterback of the Year award. How he won over the top prospect in the nation, Terrelle Pryor, who not only set records but won a state title is beyond me - but I digress. Barkley was the only 2009 prospect to be a finalist.

Vontaze Burfict - LB - Corona, Calif. (6-2, 235)

This kid is the next in a line of stellar linebackers for the men of Troy. Burfict should be considered as the top linebacker in the nation, or at least in the conversation with names like Manti Te'o (Honalulu, Hawaii), Dorian Bell (Monroeville, Pa.) and Frankie Telfort (Miami, Fla.). Burfict absolutely destroys ball carriers. He is great on the attack, flying through and around blockers in order to get to his target.

Here is a taste of what Mr. Barkley can do on the field...take note of the solid play-action fakes and the great arm strength on those deep out routes.