Decision day for USC QB Barkley

Published Dec. 22, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Southern California quarterback Matt Barkley is set to announce whether he will turn pro or return to school next year.

The junior quarterback will hold a news conference Thursday at 1 p.m. local time at Heritage Hall on the USC campus.

Barkley is coming off a spectacular season in which he led the Trojans to a 10-2 finish and the No. 5 ranking in the country. Because of NCAA sanctions, USC was not allowed to play in the postseason.

If Barkley returns, USC is likely to be a contender for preseason No. 1 in 2012. If he leaves, he is projected to be a high first-round NFL draft choice.