Former USC Star Matt Barkley starting in Tennessee Titans preseason finale

Matt Barkley is returning to the NFL gridiron as a starting signal caller, with Tennessee Titans starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill amongst the slew of players and coaches sidelined due to COVID-19.

The former USC star, drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, has been catching eyes in a backup role for the Titans so far, and now another opportunity lies ahead.

Beautiful play action from @MattBarkley to Mekhi Sargent. #TENvsTB

📺: Watch on @WKRN pic.twitter.com/hRYogukUZf

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 22, 2021

In the Titan’s preseason win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Barkley completed 12 of 16 passes for 115 yards with two touchdowns. After the game, the former USC Trojan was asked about his performance, Barkley admitted he felt ‘confident’ and ‘encouraged’ about making Tennessee’s final roster.

“It was encouraging,” Barkley said. “I am confident in who I am as a thrower and a passer and a quarterback. So just to be able to show this staff that I can help this team win and show Ryan I can be an extra set of eyes for him as well, hopefully that was conveyed tonight.”

Barkley, who spent the last three seasons operating as the Bills’ reserve signal-caller, now joins Logan Woodside behind Ryan Tannehill in the Titans’ quarterback room. The 30-year-old is an experienced veteran whose presence in the locker room has previously drawn praise. He’ll have a shot at winning the No. 2 gig, though Woodside arguably has the advantage as an incumbent in the role.

Still, Barkley getting the nod in this situation is a positive development for the former USC gun-slinger to continue his NFL career.

Matt Barkley at USC

Barkley started three seasons as the Trojans’ quarterback as a junior in 2011, and had a record-setting season as he was among the nation’s top signal-callers.

In 2011 while starting all 12 games, he was 308-of-446 (69.1%) for 3,528 yards with 39 touchdowns and just seven picks. He was ranked eighth nationally in passing efficiency (161.2, third in Pac-12) and 16th in total offense (295.2, third in Pac-12).

Barkley’s 39 touchdown passes in 2011 broke Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart’s Pac-12 and USC season record and were third-most in the nation. His 69.1% completion percentage in 2011 broke Rob Johnson’s 18-year-old USC season record. His 308 completions in 2011 tied for second on the USC season list (1 shy of Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer’s 2002 record).

USC Trojans fans can tune into the Titans preseason finale against the Chicago Bears at 7 PM ET on Saturday on CBS.