Farrells QB verdict: 2008-10
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There was limited drama in Barkley's recruiting process as he committed to USC more than a year prior to his National Signing Day and firmly stuck with his word. After enrolling for the spring semester in 2009, Barkley put himself in position to earn early playing time after the departure of Mark Sanchez to the NFL. He made the most of this opportunity and became the first true freshman quarterback to start a season for the Trojans. While he showed some growing pains he still impressed and finished with 2,735 yards and 15 touchdowns during the season.
He followed that with three more productive seasons as a starter, highlighted by the 2011 season when he passed for 3,528 yards and 39 touchdowns, while throwing only seven interceptions. A senior season that didn't meet his impressive junior season, plus a few injuries, cost Barkley in the 2013 NFL Draft, where he slipped to the fourth round.
With the Philadelphia Eagles, Barkley saw limited action as a rookie and then only played in one game last fall. He is currently fighting for the roster spot with the Eagles this summer and has also been the rumor of several trade possibilities in recent weeks.
Judge Farrell's Verdict: BUST
Harsh right? Well Judge Farrell isn't known for his soft side. So how can Jimmy Clausen be a success and how can Pryor be a success and Barkley be a bust? Clausen and Pryor improved every year in college while Barkley regressed, Clausen was drafted higher and Pryor would have been as well and both will likely be in the league after Barkley is gone. I just don't think he had a career worth giving out that success stamp.
2010
Jake Heaps, BYU (No. 63 overall)
Sammamish (Wash.) Skyline
Heaps' recruiting process exploded quickly during the winter of 2009, with offers coming in from coast-to-coast. Always linked to BYU because of his membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Heaps did give his commitment to the Cougars in early June over Cal, LSU, Tennessee and Washington.
Heaps originally split time as a true freshman, but after Riley Nelson went down with an injury, he impressed during the final 10 games with 2,316 yards and 15 touchdowns. The 2011 season started off poorly for Heaps, who was benched after the fifth game in favor of Nelson. At the conclusion of the season he announced that he would be transferring to Kansas and new head coach Charlie Weis. After sitting out 2012 due to the transfer, Heaps struggled in 2013, which led to another transfer during the summer of 2014. This time ending up at Miami, Heaps was beat out by true freshman Brad Kaaya and only saw limited action last fall during his final season of college eligibility.
After going undrafted this spring, Heaps signed with the New York Jets. He is currently still with the Jets, as he battles for a quarterback roster spot.
Judge Farrell's Verdict: BUST
This was the two-year stint, 2010 and 2011, that was the worst for quarterbacks that I have seen in my career and you can tell by his No. 63 ranking, we didn't feel anyone was that special in this class. Heaps was always a bit vertically challenged and I was never really shot out of a cannon to have him at No. 1.
Mike Farrell
National Recruiting Director
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