Barr talks about latest SEC offer

Florida plucked five-star Ronald Powell and four-star Joshua Shaw out of California last recruiting cycle and the Gators are back with an offer out to Lakewood, Calif., defensive end Todd Barr.

"I spoke to the coach (Brian White) early last week and then they said they had a lot of interest and three days later an offer came," Barr said.

"It was weird because he said, 'We're highly interested in you and we got Ronald Powell to come across the world and Joshua Shaw and we want to see if we can do that with you,'" Barr said. "I was like, 'Are you guys offering or what's the deal?' Three days later the offer was in the mail."

Barr, a 6-foot-3, 265-pound prospect, did not want to say Florida has moved up high on his list but he's definitely interested in the Gators and would like to take an official visit to Gainesville.

The preliminary thought was to get his recruitment done by the start of his senior season but Barr, one of the top defensive ends at the Los Angeles NIKE Camp, said he'd like to take some trips - to Florida, Nebraska, Tennessee and maybe others - to schools far away from home so he's sure he's making the right decision.

No matter what, the Florida offer is something to seriously consider.

"It's a big deal," Barr said. "Florida has been really successful over the years, making it to a lot of bowl games, winning national championships and for them to take that chance with me knowing I'm across the world giving me that scholarship offer I feel real honored.

"I like Florida a lot. I like to watch them a lot and they had a great defense last year especially with 11 starters returning you're going to be good. I don't want to say they're high but I like Florida a lot."

Miami has recently gotten involved but the Hurricanes haven't offered Barr, who also has Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, Oregon, Stanford, TCU, UCLA, Washington and many others on his ever-growing list.

Because so many top programs have gotten involved Barr said he'll probably wait to make his commitment. Taking some official visits seems more likely.

"I want to get it out of the way so I can focus on my team but I don't want to end up making the wrong decision," Barr said.

"I want to see what everyone else has to offer besides the West Coast. Of course I like a lot of schools out here but I want to see what everyone else has to offer because I'd like to see what the other places are really like."