Matt Barkley was one of the most prolific college quarterbacks while playing at USC over the past four years, but head coach Lane Kiffin says that fans in the area had a "huge under-appreciation" for him while he played.
According to ESPNLosAngeles.com, the Trojans head coach spoke about his quarterback this week and said that his draft stock may have been hurt by a subpar USC defense this past season. Barkley is seen as one of the top quarterbacks in the draft, but his stock and place in mock drafts has been lowered after he did not throw at the scouting combine, where he had a one-on-one meeting with the New York Jets.
Barkley likely would have been a top five or top 10 pick last season if he came out after his junior year, but he surprised many in college football by returning for his senior season. According to ESPN.com draft experts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay, Barkley is not a first round pick in this draft.
Barkley did not participate at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, but he will have his own pro day at USC later in March.
"I think he's going to be a great starting quarterback in the NFL, and the film shows it," Kiffin said. "The plays he makes, all the throws he's made here, the leadership qualities ... I've said this before: If Matt Barkley had the defense that Matt Leinart and Carson Palmer had, Matt Barkley would have won the Heisman Trophy just like they did. He would have had the winning records they had."
Kiffin mentioned his defense from last season, which was run by his father Monte, who now is with the Dallas Cowboys after he was fired. The defense was ranked 40th in points against and gave up a ton of yards, including over 700 in a 62-51 loss to Oregon in November.
USC entered the season as the preseason number one ranked team, but the Trojans had a disappointing year at 7-6 and many fans felt Barkley regressed in his senior year, despite throwing for 3,273 yards and 36 touchdowns. His 15 interceptions last season were the most he had thrown since coming to USC in 2009.
The Trojans were 10-2 in 2011 and scored fewer points in 2012 than that season. The defense was the weak link on the team and Kiffin brought in former Cal defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast to put in a new scheme for next season, although that will not help Barkley as he will be in the NFL.
Kiffin mentioned that the stock on Barkley likely started to fall when he lost 56-48 in overtime to Andrew Luck and Stanford in 2011.
"Andrew threw an interception for a touchdown and, their very next drive we stop them, and [safety] T.J. McDonald gets called for a head-to-head personal foul that keeps the drive alive," Kiffin said. "Is that Matt Barkley's fault? If that flag's not thrown and we stop them right there, you go, 'Man, Matt just beat Andrew Luck.' When I remember Matt, I think of all that stuff."
Kiffin also spoke about the roster limits USC was imposed after the Reggie Bush scandal and said that the offensive line depth suffered due to that, keeping Barkley on the run.
"There have been great USC quarterbacks [who have done] some things in the NFL," Barkley told reporters last week at the NFL scouting combine. "I know my case, my situation and my story is different than all those other guys. I don't think you can put everyone in the same mold. I know what I'm capable of, and I wouldn't be so quick to put a mold around me."