2013 NFL Combine: Matt Barkley confirms separated shoulder, will throw at USC Pro Day

Matt Barkley talked about his senior year struggles at USC while confirming that he’s on course to recover from his shoulder injury - although it did prevent him from throwing at the NFL Combine.

by Rodger Sherman

Feb 22, 2013, 5:24 PM UTC

Steve Dykes

Matt Barkley isn’t able to throw at the NFL Combine, but he says his separated shoulder is healing as planned, and that he’ll be 100 percent by the time USC has its Pro Day on March 27.

Barkley had hyped up the combine as an opportunity to show off his throwing arm after a disappointing senior season at USC, but an injury that forced him out of his team’s final two games lingers, and will keep him from being able to participate in any drills in Indianapolis. However, he showed at the combine to interview with teams, get measured, and take an aptitude test - he wants to get a perfect score - and talked with NFL media Friday about his injury and his stock.

He made quite an impression:

Upon further consideration, Matt Barkley's press conference might go down as the most memorable of the Combine.
— ryan van bibber (@justRVB) February 22, 2013

First, as for the shoulder, he confirmed that it is separated but said it’s coming along fine:

Barkley: "By March 27, I should be perfect to throw." He's not doing any combine workouts.
— Dan Kadar (@MockingTheDraft) February 22, 2013

Barkley said he's on a "pitch count" with his throws. Will only throw certain distances.
— Dan Kadar (@MockingTheDraft) February 22, 2013

Like every other player, he said he thinks he's the best quarterback in the draft:

Barkley on KC: It's a new situation for them. I want to be the No. 1 QB, and if that's the No. 1 pick, it would be a dream come true.
— Dan Kadar (@MockingTheDraft) February 22, 2013

More from Barkley: "read option QB's might be successful now but super bowl winning QB plays the way i play"
— ryan van bibber (@justRVB) February 22, 2013

And he wants to play right away:

Barkley said he wants to start right away in the NFL.
— Dan Kadar (@MockingTheDraft) February 22, 2013

The main criticism of him is his arm strength, but he doesn't feel that's an issue:

Barkley on weak arm: I would disagree. (crowd laughs) "Look at the tape."
— Dan Kadar (@MockingTheDraft) February 22, 2013

However, his talk with the media wasn't all flowery positives. Although Barkley said he didn't regret coming out of college a year early, he addressed his final year at USC head-on, talking about his apparent regression and the team's poor performance.