| |
Matt Barkley, Mater Dei HS |
| |
|
| |
| 2/19/08 - Matt Barkley, Mater Dei HS |
|
| With his college decision finalized, Matt Barkley, the nations top overall high school prospect and winner of the inaugural 2008 Joe Montana Quarterback of the Year Award, is focused solely on his last and final season as a Mater Dei Monarch. |
|
Signing Day is a few weeks behind us. USC came away with yet another very respectable class. As a quarterback you have to be excited about the signing of wide receiver prospect, Brice Butler. What can you tell me about Brice?
I’ve talked to him a couple times at USC games and even down at the All-American Game in Texas. He’s a really cool kid. His route running is very precise and he’s a very smooth runner out on the field. I look forward to working with him in the future.
When examining the Trojans class, you have to make mention of the offensive lineman they signed. Khaled Holmes, Matt Kalil, Tyron Smith, and Matt Meyer make up what looks to be the best offensive line class in the country. You have to be excited about playing behind these guys one day.
It’s always comforting to know that you have some top-of-the-line, All-American big men up front protecting you. There’s no doubt that I feel good about having all of those guys as future teammates. I’m very excited!
It’s been almost a month since you made your commitment to USC public, talk about the weight that was lifted off your shoulders by getting that decision out of the way.
It’s a lot off of my back. To be able to focus on Mater Dei going into my senior year is huge for me. I’m excited to be able to play there. Everything they stand for at USC is awesome. To have that decision behind me and to turn my focus towards other recruits and trying to get them to commit to USC is big for the program as well.
Who are some of the top guys you’re trying to convince to become Trojans?
I’ve been in communication with Devon Kennard a little bit, Manti Te’o from Hawaii, and also Vontaze Burfict from Centennial.
What did you enjoy most about the recruiting process and if there was anything at all you would’ve changed what might that be?
I actually really enjoyed how it didn’t get too crazy. There’s really not too much that I would’ve changed because it didn’t get hectic at all. I’m glad there’s no text messaging because that would’ve been crazy, but overall it was a rather easy process. I was able to go on a few visits and coaches were never hammering me to make a decision. It was a pretty good experience overall.
Most quarterbacks going into their senior year are focused on using the off-season to get recognized and make solid impressions on college coaches, scouts, and recruiters. Obviously your mindset would be a little different. What is it that you’re focused on as we enter into the camp season?
My focus is definitely on Mater Dei and what we’re building there. In preparing for next season we definitely have some work to do with the offense. So I am bringing all my wide receivers together and working with them. We’re getting our timing down with the routes and the offense. On top of that I’m continuing to work hard in the weight room, on the practice field, and in the classroom as well. I’m focused on Mater Dei football all the way.
Compare the coaching styles of Coach Rollinson at Mater Dei and Coach Carroll up at USC.
They each have been around for a long time and know what they’re doing. They are both awesome motivators and have a passion for the game. Each of them has a rather aggressive style of play calling and are very uplifting individuals to be around. Coach Rollinson and Coach Carroll have all the qualities a player would ever want in a coach; they’re proven winners, have won championships, and have achieved various different coaching honors throughout the years. The transition should be a rather easy one for me.
In browsing through an old photo gallery the other day I came upon photos of you at one of Steve Clarkson’s Santa Barbara retreats. You were about two or three year’s younger training alongside Matt Leinart, Ben Roethlisberger, and J.P. Losman, Jimmy Clausen, etc. Recap that experience for me.
That was an unforgettable experience for me. That was the first time I had ever met Matt Leinart. Seeing Big Ben out there right after the Steelers won the Super Bowl was awesome. At the time Jimmy Clausen was entering into his senior year of high school. He was someone I really looked up to. Santa Barbara was an overall fun experience. I was out there training with some of the best quarterbacks in the country and got to work hard and show other guys what I can do.
Final question Matt, the entire country is wondering what is going on inside the head of Terrelle Pryor. I am going to ask you for your prediction as to how his recruiting will pan out.
I really have no idea, but I’ll throw Michigan out there because of the new coach they hired. Rich Rodriguez will install an offense that seems ideal for someone like Pryor. However, Ohio State does have a pretty solid basketball program so if he plans to play hoops at the next level then becoming a Buckeye would make a whole lot of sense for him as well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cody Keith, South Mecklenburg HS |
| David Fisher, Vista HS |
| Andy Dittrich, Breck School |
| Andrew Pulsipher, Temecula Valley HS |
| Kelly Hilinski, Our Lady of Assumption |
| Anthony Neyer, Desert Christian HS |
| R.J. Rosborough, Carpinteria HS |
| Brandon Connette, Santiago HS |
| Landon Greve, Summit HS |
| Austin Hinder, Steamboat Springs HS |
| Kain Colter, Boulder HS |
| Austin Boucher, Archbishop Alter HS |
| Bradley Alexander II, Goynes Elementary |
| Trevor Brown, Timpview HS |
| Jake Heaps, Skyline HS |
| Taysom Hill, Highland HS |
| Tony Macarena, Oaks Christian HS |
| Max Wittek, Fairfield Country Day School |
| Richard Brehaut, Los Osos HS |
| Andy McCloud, The Woodlands HS |
| Kolby Gray, Cypress Falls HS |
| Nick Heras |
| Dayne Crist , U of Notre Dame |
| Chase Rettig, La Salle HS |
|
|
