Matt Barkley wants to build on USC practice debut

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USC freshman quarterback Matt Barkley is looking forward to Tuesday and a chance to build on the impression he made in his spring practice debut.

Barkley said after Saturday’s workout that he was working on getting his timing down with individual receivers and the way they run their routes.

The speed of the college game did not seem to phase this player, who was a four-year starter at Santa Ana Mater Dei High.

‘Everyone comments on the speed of the defense, which is true, but at the same time the receivers are so fast and quick it equals out so it’s not that bad,’ said Barkley, who is trying to jump ahead of Aaron Corp, Mitch Mustain and Garrett Green to become Mark Sanchez’s successor.

Coach Pete Carroll is eager to see Barkley progress.

‘You can see he’s really competing to understand what’s going on, trying to get the calls just right,’ Carroll said. ‘It’s a unique opportunity for us to see a guy, a freshman, in spring football like this.’

-- Gary Klein