Interest picks up for VA back Barnett

Stafford (Va.) Brooke Point is home to one of the top running backs in the state of Virginia in 2009 in 5-foot-7, 175-pound tailback Chase Barnett. The speedy back put together an impressive year in which he posted 2,156-yards rushing and 27 touchdowns. The big season has resulted in significant interest for the junior prospect.

"He's been contacted by a number of schools, West Virginia, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Tennessee, Penn State and others," Brooke Point head coach Jeff Berry said. "Everybody is really interested, but his size doesn't make him a can't miss prospect.

"People want to do more background checks and film study. He's going to have to prove himself at camps. If he were a couple inches taller and 15 to 20-pounds heavier he'd be getting serious interest, but because he's shorter that scares people away. Whatever school gets him will be very happy."

What stands out about Barnett on the field?

"He is a great player that combines quickness, speed and vision to be one of the best running backs that has been through here in a long time," he said. "His size shouldn't be a diminishing factor because he runs in between the tackles. He only has lost one fumble in his whole career and has never been hurt.

"He has great vision and never gets touched. He's also very low to the ground and that makes it very difficult to bring him down. He frustrates defenses.

"Off the field, he's a fine young man that represents us well. He's a great kid that I wouldn't mind my son being like some day."