Athletic Receiver names Top Schools

NAME: Josh Barge

POSITION: Receiver

SCHOOL: Blue Springs High, Blue Springs, Missouri

TEAM RECORD: 10-2 (Conference Champions)

HEIGHT: 6-foot-0

WEIGHT: 190 pounds

40 TIME: 4.45 (handheld)

BENCH: 290

SQUAT: 320

VERTICAL LEAP: 34 inches

GPA: 3.5

ACT: 21

Josh was named All-Metro for Kansas City, All-District, All-Conference and All-State last year with 35 receptions for 807 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Although Josh has no offers yet, he is hearing from Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Illinois, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Northwestern, Air Force and Stanford.

"Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri are recruiting the hardest with a letter almost daily," said Josh. "Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Arkansas and Oklahoma send three to four a week.''

Josh will probably make some of his visits during this season, which starts August 31st against Raytown South. He has no visits set up yet. He will make his decision after those visits and at the end of this football season.

When asked if distance will affect his decision Josh said - "Not so much, as I want to go where they'll let me play soon." "The main factors in the decision will be the type of offense they run, the coaching staff, the atmosphere since I have to feel at home there and the climate," Barge said.

Michigan Wolverine camp was the only camp Josh attended this year. Missouri or Iowa are the favorites at this time for this Missouri fan.

Missouri is probably his leader right now followed very closely by Iowa. Nebraska and Kansas would be right after those two.

Missouri - "My brother went there. The program has been redone and I like the coaches and the facilities. They have put a lot of money into redoing all the facilities. They redid the weight room, the practice facilities and everything is new there including the atmosphere."

Iowa - "They're close and they have a nice program. A former team mate went there and recommended them."

Nebraska and Kansas would be right after Missouri and Iowa, but he would like to hear from the three schools named below.

Purdue - "The offense they run is receiver friendly; that's wide receiver heaven with passes winging all over. With quarterbacks like Drew Brees they are going to be a pass oriented offense for awhile, so that would be a great place for a receiver to go. They also have some receivers like me, about my height and speed."

Oregon - "They are a really good program with a regular chance at the Rose Bowl and a national championship"

Oregon State - "The way that Dennis Erickson turned that program around and made them a contender for the championship is awesome. He really knows what he is doing as a coach."

He likes the state of Oregon, as ''it is not too cold or too hot there and I like that.''

Josh said of his strong - "My quickness and I can make the big play when needed. I'm a team player and I have good soft hands and a good touch."

He describes himself as - "A big play maker."

Josh is undecided on a major, although it will probably be in the business field.

He named Jeremy Bradon of Fort Osage High School as his toughest opponent.