Barkley will return to USC

Football: Southern California quarterback Matt Barkley believed he was prepared to play in the NFL and the draft prognosticators agreed with him.

Barkley had skillfully guided the program through two years of NCAA sanctions, put up big numbers to add his name to the list of great Trojans quarterbacks.

Barkley just wasn’t ready to leave.

He still had some unfinished business at USC.

Setting off a round of cheers at USC’s Heritage Hall, Barkley announced Thursday that he’s returning for his senior season, putting off the NFL for a chance to lead the Trojans from under the cloud of NCAA sanctions to a BCS bowl.

“I am staying so I can finish what I started,” Barkley said.

At 6-foot-2, 220 pounds and with a game that matured over three years at Troy, Barkley was projected as a high first-round pick in the NFL draft, an enticement that had lured his predecessor, Mark Sanchez, after his junior season.

Instead of following Sanchez’s footsteps, Barkley took the route of former USC quarterback Matt Leinart. Leinart returned to USC after winning the Heisman Trophy and a national championship, and led the Trojans to the 2005 BCS title game.

Barkley led the Trojans to a 10-2 record and a No. 5 ranking in The Associated Press poll.

Associated Press

WSU alumnus pledges $3M

Football: Washington State alumnus Greg Rankich of Kirkland, Wash., has committed $3 million to support the expansion of Martin Stadium, athletic director Bill Moos announced.

Moos said it is the largest single commitment made in the history of The Cougar Football Project.

Rankich, a 1994 alumnus, is the president and CEO of Extreme Consulting Group, a business and IT consulting firm.

WSU Athletics will name the club room located within the stadium expansion for Rankich.