Matt Barkley returning to USC, becomes early frontrunner for No. 1 pick in 2013 NFL Draft

Matt Barkley is returning to Southern California for his senior season and we may have the early frontrunner for the No. 1 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Barkley announced at a press conference today that he won't enter the 2012 NFL Draft. That makes USC one of the early favorites to win the national title. That comes despite USC losing left tackle Matt Kalil and pass rusher Nick Perry. The Trojan have arguably the best wide receiver group in the country and Barkley has benefited from it, completing 69.1 percent of his passes for 3,528 yards and 39 touchdowns to only 7 interceptions.

Barkley's decision has an even greater impact on the 2012 NFL Draft. Without Barkley, it causes a trickle-down effect of sorts. Teams needing quarterbacks, like the Browns, Dolphins, Redskins and Seahawks, may have to reach if they want a rookie quarterback. It also makes the second overall pick all the more valuable, with the Colts expected to draft Stanford's Andrew Luck first overall.

Baylor's Robert Griffin III is cemented as the second-best quarterback in the draft behind Luck and he'll be valued highly by the teams needing a quarterback, so more can be asked for in a trade. To this point, Griffin has been steadfast on saying he won't decide on the NFL until after Baylor plays in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 29.

It will also make the decision harder for Oklahoma's Landry Jones, Arkansas' Tyler Wilson and Arizona State's Brock Osweiler. Each projects fairly well to the NFL but need another year of college football to improve. But the allure of being drafted higher may be difficult to pass up.

If Barkley can now take USC to a national title, as expected, he will reach mythical status among Trojans fans. He'll bypass the likes of Mark Sanchez and Matt Leinart as legendary Trojans.