Update:
Matt Barkley officially ruled out of Sun Bowl, ending USC career
A shoulder injury suffered on Nov. 17 against UCLA will keep the senior quarterback out of the Sun Bowl next Monday.
Kirby Lee-US PRESSWIRE
Lane Kiffin announced that Max Wittek will start at QB for USC in the @hyundaisunbowl.Matt Barkley's college career is officially over.
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) December 27, 2012
Matt Barkley may have played his last game as a member of the USC Trojans. The senior quarterback has been without a helmet and pads in practice and is very unlikely to play in the Sun Bowl, according to Rich Hammond of The Orange County Register.
Barkley suffered a sprained shoulder on Nov. 17 when he was hit by UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr in the Trojans 38-28 loss to the Bruins. Freshman backup Max Wittek started the Trojans final game of the season -- a 22-13 loss to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish -- and will likely start in Barkley's place against Georgia Tech in the Sun Bowl.
If Barkley is unable to play, it would be a disappointing finish to a rough year. The 22-year-old opted to stay in school for his senior season despite being projected as a first-round pick in the NFL Draft. And after a 7-5 season for the Trojans and 15 interceptions on the year, it’s likely that his draft projection has fallen.
Kickoff at the Sun Bowl is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on Monday, Dec. 31, and the game will be televised on CBS.
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