Matt Barkley
Matt Barkley is the most recent Quarterback flop to be produced by USC, Barkley was projected pre-injury as a definite first rounder, some even believing he was first overall type talent. Matt Barkley was a distinguished Quarterback in College Football, putting up numbers that to many seemed to be the best in football, which would allow him an invite to the Heisman voting in 2011. Barkley was seen as a can't miss prospect in the eyes of NFL Scouts, Quarterback coaches, and NFL Executives everywhere. However, a shoulder injury plagued young Barkley causing his value to slip in the NFL Draft. When Barkley's name was called it would be with the Philadelphia Eagles. Many considered Barkley to be a threat coming into training camp as a possible candidate as the number two starter on this quarterback plenty team, with thoughts of him being the starter in the near future. However, this would all soon fade for Barkley after his poor showings he would be placed in the third Quarterback spot for the team. However, Barkley's lack of success would continue, not having to wait long until his first poor NFL performance would come. In parts of three games Barkley has proven he is not ready for the NFL; he is 30 for 49, with 4 Interceptions and no touchdowns. Besides the number aspect of Barkley's performance there is the unpreparedness, Barkley came into all three games without a fixed plan. Where many Quarterbacks in the NFL would be dying for an opportunity to get into a game, Matt Barkley failed to prove his worthiness. He stared at those receivers he was passing to, he under threw targets, and even missed opportunities to scramble for big gains. Matt Barkley is the most recent of victim of the USC QB curse.
Mark Sanchez
After the 2009 Rose Bowl Championship season, the Mark Sanchez NFL hype began. In 2009 USC played Penn State in the Rose Bowl, after this victory and his MVP game. Mark Sanchez would jump start his NFL career. Sanchez seeing many of his competitors not leaving College Football for the NFL, felt he could take advantage of the lack of high profile Quarterbacks available in the draft. Mark Sanchez would be right in this theory, he would be selected fifth overall to a desperate New York Jets team. The Jets traded two draft picks and three players so that they would have the opportunity to select Sanchez. Ownership wanted to put the future of the team in the hands of Mark Sanchez, they felt as though he was their best opportunity to have a future in the NFL. Though with all the hype surrounding Sanchez, lack of performance was sure to follow. Though Sanchez was able to put a couple Jets playoff seasons together, he was never able to get the team over the hump. Sanchez has never been seen as the answer for this team to succeed, with more interceptions then he has touchdowns, and with more time being injured then he has been healthy; the fifth overall pick's success has been truly lacking. Mark Sanchez's fall from grace came very quickly from being the golden child for USC to becoming one of the must hated draft choices for the Jets in recent years. Mark Sanchez has been another victim of the USC curse.
Matt Leinart
Matt Leinart was a Heisman candidate, a National Championship winner, Quarterback of The Year in College. However, this success would not follow the young Leinart in his path to the NFL. Leinart coming out of college was seen as a can't miss Quarterback prospect, a no doubt superstar. In 2006 Leinart would become the tenth overall pick in a draft that was bursting with talent such as fellow USC star Reggie Bush. Matt Leinart would go to the Arizona Cardinals, at the time a very dangerous offensive weapon looking for the right Quarterback to do the job. Matt Leinart was seen as the man to take this team to a Super Bowl. Leinart came into the league with a bang, breaking NFL single game rookie records, and grabbing the attention of fans everywhere. However, injuries and lack of performance would eventually plague Leinart's career causing him to become unsuccessful and not living up to his expectations. Matt would be the Arizona Cardinals on and off Quarterback until 2008 when he would officially lose his job to veteran Quarterback Kurt Warner. In 2010 after the retirement of Warner, he was officially handed his job back during training camp. However, Leinart would lose his position to competing Quarterback Derek Anderson. Matt Leinart would be released from the Cardinals in 2010, and has been in and out of the league since then. Matt Leinart's career has been one of disappointment and lack of performance. Matt Leinart is another USC QB who did not live up to their standards.
Carson Palmer
The last Quarterback to that will be used to prove the USC Quarterback theory is one that had decent success in the NFL, but for a very short amount of time. Carson Palmer's number is retired at USC, he was a Heisman Trophy winner, and a very successful college football player. Carson Palmer was the first overall pick in the 2003 Draft to the Bengals, and had great expectations to follow. In Palmer's rookie season he would not see a snap. The Bengals were smart with their investment, teaching him how to Quarterback in the NFL before ever placing him in a game. After, a season of learning Palmer was ready to take the helm and the NFL by storm, he would lead the Bengals to an 8-8 record his rookie year, and winning seasons after that. In the 2005-06 playoffs Palmer would hit his first point of bad luck. This would be seen in the playoffs, Palmer threw his first pass for 66 yards down field to Chris Henry, however this touchdown would be at a price. Carson Palmer would have his meniscus torn from a hit by Kimo von Oelhoffen. This would end the Bengals hopes for a Super Bowl Championship. Though Palmer would go on to have a few more good seasons with the Bengals, becoming a two time Pro Bowler, his career burnt out causing him to lose his position to Andy Dalton. Now the starter of the Arizona Cardinals Palmer is looking to revitalize his career. Though he had some NFL success Carson Palmer never lived up to the expectations surrounding him. He never was able to bring his success he had with the Trojans to the NFL, he can be considered another USC failure.
Though USC has produced many great players it lacks in the Quarterback position. By just looking up the numbers of USC QB's in the NFL one realizes that they were all unsuccessful.
-Brett
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