USC quarterback Matt Barkley made it official Thursday, announcing that he is NOT entering the NFL draft and will instead return for another season with the Trojans.
The big question locally: What does this mean for the top part of the 2012 NFL draft? Barkley likely would have been chosen very high. The fact that he is no longer available certainly will have a bearing on how the dominoes fall at the top. The Vikings could still grab the No. 1 overall pick, but that's quite a long shot. More likely, they will be No. 2 or No. 3. If they're thinking about trading that pick to a QB-starved team, does this hurt their cause because that's one less elite thrower at the top? Or -- if the Vikings land the No. 2 pick -- does it potentially help them if Robert Griffin III enters the draft, thus meaning there will only be one elite QB left after Andrew Luck is presumably taken No. 1 overall and potentially setting off a bidding war?
Let that roll around in your brain for a few days as you (hopefully) enjoy a long holiday weekend.
