No shortage of interest in star junior
Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech defensive tackle Joseph Barksdale is one of the top juniors in the state of Michigan.
With 6-foot-4 and 315 pound size and 4.9 40-yard dash speed, Barksdale has a combination recruiters love to see. He made 40 tackles including five sacks during his junior season.
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There are other numbers recruiters are impressed with when it comes to Barksdale. He bench presses 410 pounds, has a 3.5 GPA, and scored a 21 on the ACT.
Barksdale was a varsity starter at offensive tackle his sophomore year. He started at tackle on both sides of the ball this past season.
With all of this in mind it is no wonder Barksdale is drawing plenty of interest from college recruiters.
"I get mail from schools like Michigan State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Notre Dame, Ohio State, schools like that," Barksdale said.
Barksdale attended a number of college games this season.
"I've been to Michigan State, the U of M, and Ohio State," he said. "I saw Ohio State play twice, Michigan State once, and Michigan twice.
"I saw Ohio State play Texas, then I went back down and saw them play Northwestern.
"I saw Michigan State when they played Michigan.
"I saw Michigan when they played Ohio State and Eastern Michigan."
When asked about the Michigan-Ohio State game he attended, Barksdale said, "It was a really good game. It was very well played."
Barksdale has a scholarship offer on the table and many more are likely to follow.
"Michigan State has offered me," he said. "I'm just a junior. When I get to look at the schools' academic programs I can shorten my list."