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Matty Trojan

Matt Barkley represents everything right with USC athletics

Updated: October 22, 2012, 1:43 PM ET
By Steve Bisheff | We Are SC
It is the rare athlete who is somehow able to rise above his name and his stats to reach a whole different elite level.

Because of his skill and his loyalty, his leadership and his dedication, he actually defines his program, or in the case of professional sports, his franchise. More often than not, he exudes a special aura on and off the field. He peers out from magazine covers, not police mug shots. He spends time in the community. He not only performs for his team, he comes to embody it.

Derek Jeter does it for the Yankees. Tom Brady does it for the Patriots. Tim Tebow did it at Florida, Mia Hamm for North Carolina.

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Steve Bisheff | email

WeAreSC.com
  • USC Trojans columnist
  • Veteran L.A.-area sports writer
  • Joined ESPN.com in 2011

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