Big 10 team makes move with Barrows

Powder Springs (Ga.) McEachern three-star safety/running back C.J. Barrows has spent quite a bit of time talking to the college coaches that have called him since Monday. And he’s even getting some attention from some places that he hadn’t before.

“I’ve talked to UConn, North Carolina, UGA called last night but I missed them and I also got an offer from Illinois on Monday,” Barrows, who is 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, said. “I decided to go ahead and set an official visit with Illinois up for December 5. I didn’t know they were interested in me until they called. They want me at running back, and that’s pretty cool. I want a shot at playing running back.”

Barrows is a player that could project on either side of the ball but an offer to play running back in the Big 10 has suddenly become appealing.

“I know they played LSU in the Sugar Bowl two years ago,” he said. “Their head coach is the brother of Norv Turner, I think. Either way, it’s cool that they want me at running back.”

Barrows said he is no longer as high on Alabama and Georgia as he was before.

“The Alabama coach e-mailed me,” he said. “They said they haven’t received my film on me. I don’t know. Since other schools are popping up, I’m going to give them a shot. And Georgia, I don’t know what they’re thinking when it comes to me. I haven’t gotten a lot of interest here the past few months. I know they want me on defense, though.”

Barrows listed his top group as Illinois, Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma State and Georgia. He has offers from Illinois and Florida in that group.

“We’ll see what happens,” he said.

Barrows had 84 yards rushing on 10 carries in his first game of the season. He hopes to improve that this Friday against Marietta.