Marion Barber

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Running Back to go Pro

Marion Barber, RB, Minnesota Golden Gophers

 

by J.J. Pesavento, KFFL

Monday March 21, 2005

 

When Marion Barber III announced that he would skip his final year of eligibility at the University of Minnesota and enter the upcoming draft, the move surprised some. Barber had initially indicated that he planned return for his senior season, but decided to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL. While there will be some that will question his decision, considering the numbers Barber put up his final two seasons for the Golden Gophers, one can understand why he opted to move on to the next level.

 

The Plymouth, Minn. native and son of former New York Jets RB Marion Barber Jr. came to Minnesota after an impressive high school career that culminated with him rushing for 1,778 yards with 18 touchdowns his senior season. He also played defensive back for Wayzata High School and was named an All-Midwest performer by more than one publication. He showed his athletic versatility by being named an honorable mention all-conference outfielder in baseball.

 

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In his freshman season, Barber saw action in all 11 games for Minnesota. He opened eyes by rushing for 742 yards with seven touchdowns. He also saw action on special teams as a return specialist for the Golden Gophers. His efforts in 2001 would earn him third-team Freshman All-American honors from The Sporting News.

 

Barber saw his sophomore campaign end early after suffering a pulled hamstring in the third game of the season. He missed the remainder of the 2002 season and was granted a medical redshirt by the NCAA.

 

In 2003, Barber showed no lingering effects from the hamstring problem as he rushed for 1,196 yards with a school record 17 touchdowns. He led the team in scoring with 102 points. He also led the Big Ten in punt return average (14.5) and returned kicks as well. He and fellow RB Laurence Maroney would become only the third duo in Big Ten history to both surpass the 1,000-yard mark. Barber would be an All-Big Ten selection and a second-team All-America selection.

 

In his final season at Minnesota, Barber did not slow down. He rushed for 1,269 yards with 11 touchdowns. He led the team in punt and kickoff returns and passed for two touchdowns during the course of the season. He and Maroney became the first pair in NCAA history to ever rush for over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. His production in 2004 earned him honorable mention Big Ten honors. Barber would close out his career at Minnesota by rushing for 187 yards with one touchdown and being named the MVP of the Music City Bowl.

 

During his career at Minnesota, Barber rushed for 3,276 yards, which places him third in school history.

 

POSITIVES

At 5-10 1/2, 212 pounds, Barber is a solid back with decent power and balance. He is not a bulldozer, but has the ability to break tackles. He's a tough player who will fight for extra yards after initial contact. He is usually quick through the hole and has deceptive speed in the open field. Barber shows good vision and cutting ability. He has decent hands, but his primary role at Minnesota was to run the ball. A huge upside is that Barber rarely fumbles. Another facet of his game that will help increase his value is his ability to return kickoffs and punts. Barber is a smart young man, hard worker and a team player without an ego. Although he had to share the spotlight with Maroney at Minnesota, he never complained.

 

NEGATIVES

Barber does have the speed to make the corner, but he is best between the tackles. He can make cuts, but is not a shifty runner. His receiving skills will need to be worked on. He was rarely used in that capacity in college and will have to learn the finer points of the receiving aspect of the position. Sometimes shows a lack of patience and dances in the backfield before hitting the hole. Barber must work on his blocking to be a complete player at the NFL level.

 

SUMMARY

Barber has the size, skills and work ethic to make it at the next level. He may never be the threat he was in college, but he has enough ability to be a capable performer and contribute in the NFL.

 

Some have questioned his speed, but Barber ran 4.48 and 4.53 in his 40s at the Minnesota Pro Day so he obviously cannot be considered slow.

 

In addition to the hamstring injury that cost him the 2002 season, Barber suffered a sprained knee in the spring of 2004, which limited him in spring drills. Judging by his performance in the fall, that obviously did not affect him, and neither injury should be of concern to NFL teams.

 

There are no character issues, and his character may be one of his strong points. Playing in the NFL is his dream, and he will do whatever it takes to reach that goal.

 

While Barber may not be among the elite at the position, he is still a solid back has a good deal of value. That being said, Barber should off the board by the start of the third round of the draft.