After reportedly "leaning towards" staying at Southern Cal for another season to be able to take the Trojans to a bowl game, left tackle Matt Kalil has decided to turn pro, according to a report by ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

USC T Matt Kalil has decided to turn pro, per sources. Projected as top-5 pick; premier LT prospect. No word on Barkley. #NFL32 #ESPN #USC

— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) December 16, 2011

Kalil has been widely projected as a Top 10 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Some expect Kalil to go as high as second overall in the draft. There was some belief that Kalil and USC quarterback Matt Barkley were a "package deal", but there have been no reports on Barkley's status. With Kalil leaving USC, it will leave a big hole to be filled at the left tackle position.

For more on the Trojans, visit USC blog Conquest Chronicles, Pac-12 blog Pacific Takes and SB Nation Los Angeles. For more NFL Draft, visit Mocking the Draft.