Georgia RB ready for Illini visit

Three-star Powder Springs (Ga.) McEachern running back/athlete C.J. Barrows is preparing for his first official visit of the year this weekend.

“I’ll be taking my first visit to Illinois,” he said. “I’ll be taking the ACT that morning, then leaving to go up there through Monday. I’m looking forward to that trip because I’ve been in Georgia all my life. I’m kind of interested to see what else is out there, what it’s like in Big Ten country.

“Them and North Carolina (1/16) are my two leaders right now. They’re the ones who are recruiting me the hardest and like me most as a running back. Illinois says I can probably come in there and help them right away, and North Carolina pretty much says the same. They’ve both got young teams that should be getting better the next few years.”

Asked about the remaining three visits he will take, Barrows said: “I’m just waiting to see who steps up and wants me the most for those. I’m pretty much looking at all the SEC and ACC schools.”

He has offers from Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Clemson and Maryland.

As a senior, Barrows (6-3, 205, 4.5) rushed for 1,520 yards and 14 touchdowns on only 156 carries. He also scored one touchdown receiving and ran a kickoff back for another score.

Academically, he carries a 2.7 GPA and has scored an 18 on the ACT, but is taking the test again in an effort to improve that mark.