Defensive back looks to be the future for Rutgers commit Tim Barrow

Tottentville (N.Y.) athlete Tim Barrow committed to Rutgers with the option of playing on either side of the football. Now, as signing day approaches, it is becoming a little clearer as to where he will line up at the college level.

On his official visit this month, Barrow was hosted by cornerback Isaiah Wharton. On the visit, he also spent time with defensive backs coach Bill Busch.

“I was talking to Coach Busch about that and I am starting to get the idea that they kind of want me at corner,” Barrow told Scarlet Nation. “During my visit, I was hanging out a lot with [assistant defensive backs] Coach [Aaron] Henry. And Coach Busch was telling me they want me to play corner.”

Barrow also acknowledged that Busch told him he would likely get an audition at wide receiver.

“He said they need more guys on the defensive side of the ball, but to be prepared for anything,” Barrow said of Busch.

A future at defensive back may also change up Barrow’s offseason workouts.

“In my offseason workouts, I am just going to lift and run a lot basically. I just want to get my body prepared for what is going to happen,” he said. “Now that they are giving me a hint of where I am going to be playing, I will probably focus on more DB drills than receiver. But I will still do some receiver drills.”

For Barrow, this winter will be free of another sport.

“I was going to play basketball but I had a talk with my basketball coach. He loves me and we were really cool, but he also said why risk injury? I have a free ride for football, so why risk it? He doesn’t want to see me have a bad offseason and not be ready to go. I played last year but I think it would be a gift to my body to just cool out.”

That will be quite a change as basketball was always a big part of Barrow’s life.

“Growing up in Harlem, it was basketball, basketball, basketball. If you don’t know how to play basketball, you might stop making friends,” Barrow lightheartedly remarked. “So I quickly had to learn basketball first. But then I found a love for football.”

That prompted an eventual move from Harlem to Staten Island where Barrow could fine tune his football skills at Tottenville High School. It may also pave the way to early playing time at Rutgers.

“It’s in my head to always compete and do whatever I have to do to get on the field. I am one of those people where it’s hard for me to have to come off the field and be on the sidelines.”