USC football: Matt Barkley not among Heisman Trophy finalists

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

USC quarterback Matt Barkley was not among the finalists announced Monday for the Heisman Trophy.

Wisconsin running back Monte Ball, Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, Louisiana State defensive back Tyrann Mathieu and Alabama running back Trent Richardson are finalists for an award that will be presented Dec. 10 in New York.

Barkley passed for 39 touchdowns, with seven interceptions, and led the Trojans to a 10-2 record.

USC is not eligible to participate in a bowl game because of NCAA sanctions related to former Heisman winner Reggie Bush. The sanctions made USC ineligible for the Pac-12 Conference title game, which would have given Barkley a final opportunity to sway Heisman voters last Friday.

Barkley, a junior, was making a push for Heisman consideration after dynamic performances against Oregon and UCLA.

Barkley passed for four touchdowns in the Trojans’ 38-35 upset of Oregon at Eugene, Ore.

He passed for six touchdowns in a 50-0 rout of UCLA, tying his own school record for touchdown passes in a game and breaking the Pac-12 record of 38 touchdown passes in a season set by Heisman winner Matt Leinart in 2003.

Barkley is weighing whether to make himself available for the NFL draft or return for a final college season.

More later at latimes.com/sports

ALSO:

Matt Barkley is a fan of Tim Tebow

USC’s Matt Barkley starts testing NFL waters

Matt Barkley’s potential replacement ready to step up for USC

--Gary Klein