Barrie bolts up the charts
Tampa (Fla.) Berkeley Prep offensive tackle Jim Barrie has quickly catapulted himself to the top of the offensive line ranks in the state of Florida. While he's still to be ranked by Rivals.com, it's very clear that he's one of the Sunshine State's best prospects.
Have doubts? Check out his impressive offer sheet.
Nebraska, LSU, Florida State, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Auburn were the big boys that had offered him heading into last week. Then he picked up a scholarship offer from Michigan on Thursday. He hopes to pick up another offer this week when he camps with Florida, his long-time favorite.
"Florida did all but tell me that they're offering me if I have a good camp," Barrie said. "I'm going to go up there and show them that I deserve an offer. I really liked coach (Stan) Drayton when they called me in the month of May."
But coach Drayton wasn't the only coach that left a lasting impression. Coach Phil Elmassian from Nebraska, coach Kevin Wilson from Oklahoma and coach Andy Moeller all impressed him when he talked with them.
"Coach Elmassian is a funny guy," Barrie said. "I also think coach Wilson from Oklahoma has a great personality. When Michigan offered me, I also got to talk to coach (Lloyd) Carr. That was really cool."
After Florida's camp, Barrie said he hopes to take some unofficial visits to Oklahoma, Michigan, South Carolina, Florida State and Miami. He doesn't have any dates set in stone yet, but he wants to check them out before a decision is made.
So why do these coaches all covet Barrie?
"I think they like my effort the most," he said. "I think I go hard on every play. When the coaches see that, they know that you're not taking plays off or slacking."