Irish, Gamecocks among RBs Top 5

Cleveland (Tenn.) running back Levonte Barber is mulling over three scholarship offers and a number of schools showing high interest as he prepares for a busy July.

“I’ve got offers from South Carolina, North Carolina and Wake Forest,” he said. “And I’m getting a lot of attention from Tennessee, Notre Dame, Auburn, Alabama and Vanderbilt.

“I’m supposed to go visit South Carolina in July. I’ve been up to UT to talk with coach Fulmer this month. I’m also trying to visit Vandy, North Carolina and Wake Forest sometime in July.”

Barber (6-0, 195, 4.45) is one of the state’s top running back prospects coming off a junior year which saw him rush for 1,115 yards and 13 touchdowns despite missing three games with an injury. He earned AP All-State honors and was named the Chattanooga area player of the year.

Asked if he’s started to form a list of favorites, Barber offered a top five:

“Notre Dame is a school almost every player thinks about playing for. Their tradition is the best in the country. And they’ve got a great coach now. I’m very high on them and hoping they offer me a scholarship. I’m going to make a visit up there sometime during the season.

“South Carolina is a school I like a lot and so does my family. I’ve got a lot of family in that area. They really want me to go down there. Plus, they’ve got a legendary coach in Lou Holtz. It would be fun to play for him.

“North Carolina is another school close to home and my family. I’m still learning about them, but I like the school and the attention their coaches have shown me.

“Tennessee is a great school with great tradition, too. They’re in the Top 10 about every year, and they have great exposure. They’re always on TV. It’s close to home and everything. I like them a lot, but one thing I’m not sure about is how they’re always recruiting a bunch of great running backs. I don’t really want to go somewhere and have to wait three or four years to get on the field. I’d like to get some early playing time.

“Georgia would be my fifth school, but I haven’t gotten as much attention from them as the other schools. They called me in May. Maybe they’ll be talking to me some more later this summer. But that’s a place I’d really love to go.”

Barber said another part of his decision will be getting an opportunity to play baseball. A fine center fielder, he batted over .400 with eight doubles and 17 stolen bases in 19 attempts this spring.

“I want to try and play both sports,” he said. “Whichever schools are open to that will have a better chance.”

Academically, Barber projects as a full-qualifier. He maintains a 3.1 GPA and is awaiting his test scores. “I think I did real well,” he said. “I’m not worried about that at all.”