According to reports coming out of Southern California, the USC Trojans have named Matt Barkley, a true freshman, their starting quarterback.

Barkley attended Mater Dei High School of Santa Ana, California, graduating in December 2008. He Barkley finished his high school career as the all-time passing yardage leader in Orange County history, surpassing the record set by Todd Marinovich in 1987.

With an outstanding performance in training camp, Barkley has beaten out sophomore Aaron Corp to start the Trojans' when the season opens against San Jose State at home on September 5th. Corp, in his third year at USC, was named the Trojans' starter out of spring ball but broke a small bone below his left knee Aug. 10.

Corp was medically cleared to play and it was believed that he would play while wearing a brace, Instead, Barkley will become the first true freshman quarterback ever to start a season opener for the USC Trojans.

Trojans head coach Pete Carroll, along with quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates unexpectedly announced his decision two days before USC's mock game, which was expected to be a deciding factor in the derby between Barkley, Mitch Mustain and Corp, the starter out of spring practice.

"Matt earned it," said Bates. "It's not based on Corp's injury or anything like that. Matt has made some mistakes, but he's learned from it and come back. He's made it exciting."

Whether or not Barkley is truly ready to take over the Trojan offense, remains to be scene. However, Carroll thinks he is saying the Barkley has exceeded all of the USC coaching staff's expectations.

"I couldn't be more proud of this guy and what he's done to position himself for this," Carroll said. "Of course he's got a lot of new stuff to learn, but you couldn't do more than what he did. He's not a typical freshman."