Thomas Barber

Position:
LB
Ht./Wt.:
6-1 / 235
Hometown:
Plymouth, Minn.
High School:
Robbinsdale Armstrong
Letters:
3
Class:
Junior

PRONUNCIATION

HONORS:
Academic All-Big Ten (2019, 2018)
All Big-Ten Honorable Mention (2019)
RTB Trust Award (2019)
Neil Fredenburg Award (2018, 2017)
All-Big Ten Third Team (2017)

CAREER: Finished with 274 tackles (167 solo), 19.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, four forced fumbles and finished tied for second in school history with seven fumble recoveries.

2019 • SENIOR SEASON: Started all 13 games • recorded 66 tackles (35 solo), five tackles for loss, recovered two fumbles and assisted on one sack. Game-by-Game: Started against South Dakota State and tallied five tackles • recorded seven tackles including one for a loss against Fresno State • recovered a fumble and notched five tackles against Georgia Southern • registered four tackles including one for a loss against Purdue • notched three tackles against Illinois • tallied nine tackles and assisted on a sack against Nebraska • recorded five tackles including one for loss against Rutgers • notched two tackles against Maryland • broke up one pass and made five tackles against Penn State • registered six tackles at Iowa • tallied eight tackles at Northwestern • notched six tackles including 0.5 for loss against Wisconsin • recovered one fumble and recorded a tackle for loss against Auburn in the Outback Bowl.

2018 • JUNIOR SEASON: Started all 13 games • recorded 81 tackles (47 solo), made 1.5 sacks and four tackles for loss, recovered two fumbles and recorded one interception • named the Neil Fredenburg Outstanding Team Player • Academic All-Big Ten. Game-by-Game: Made a diving interception and recorded two tackles against New Mexico State • registered six tackles in a start against Fresno State • recorded eight tackles (seven solo) including one for a loss that resulted in a safety against Miami • tallied seven tackles against Maryland • recovered one fumble and tallied 10 tackles including one for a loss against Iowa • broke up one pass and notched nine tackles against Ohio State • recorded seven tackles against Nebraska • registered eight tackles against Indiana • made one tackle at Illinois • tallied eight tackles including 1.5 sacks against Purdue • notched three tackles against Northwestern • recovered a late game fumble against Wisconsin and recorded six tackles including 0.5 for loss • registered six tackles in Quick Lane Bowl victory over Georgia Tech.

2017 • SOPHOMORE SEASON: Started all 12 games • finished first on the team with 115 tackles (76 solo), forced three fumbles, recovered two fumbles and recorded one interception • recorded double-digit tackles in seven Big Ten games • named All-Big Ten Third Team (media) and All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (coaches). Game-by-Game: Made first career start against Buffalo and recorded five tackles including one for a loss • notched three tackles and forced one fumble at Oregon State • led the team with nine tackles and also recorded an interception against Middle Tennessee • tallied 10 tackles including one for a loss and one pass breakup against Maryland • led the team with 10 tackles including 1.5 for a loss, forced and recovered one fumble against Purdue • was all over the field with a career high 16 tackles against Michigan State including two for a loss and recovered one fumble • notched 11 tackles (9 solo) including two for a loss against Illinois • tallied a team leading 12 tackles against Iowa • recorded seven tackles including one for a loss at Michigan • registered a team leading 11 tackles, one sack and two pass breakups against Nebraska • recorded 15 tackles in a game against Northwestern • forced one fumble and notched seven tackles against Wisconsin.

2016 • FRESHMAN SEASON: Played in 11 games • recorded 12 tackles and forced one fumble. Game-by-Game: Made collegiate debut against Colorado State • recorded first career tackle against Penn State • made five tackles and had first career forced fumble against Iowa • registered two tackles and recovered one fumble against Maryland • saw action against Rutgers • tallied two tackles against Illinois and one against Purdue • recorded one tackle against Nebraska • competed against Northwestern, Wisconsin and Washington State.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Robbinsdale Armstrong High School where he was a teammate of Gopher receiver True Thompson and defensive back Jack Leius • three-year letterwinner and played linebacker and running back as the Falcons compiled a 7-3 record and a 5-2 mark in conference play in 2015 • as a senior, notched 109 tackles, two sacks and two pass breakups, while also rushing 50 times for 309 yards and nine touchdowns • as a junior, he made 132 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles and two interceptions and also rushed 72 times for 413 yards and six scores • as a sophomore, he totaled 96 tackles and made one interception, while also carrying the ball 58 times for 253 yards and three scores • coached by Jack Negen • also played hockey • ranked as a three-star prospect by Rivals, Scout, 247Sports and ESPN • Rivals ranked him as the No. 8 prospect in the state, while 247Sports had him at No. 13 and ESPN had him at No. 16 • Scout listed him as the No. 1 inside linebacker in Minnesota and tabbed him as the No. 27 inside linebacker in the nation, while 247Sports had him ranked No. 40 at his position and ESPN had him at No. 53 • enrolled at Minnesota in January 2016 and participated in spring practice.

PERSONAL: Son of Marion and Karen Barber • has two brothers (Marion and Dom) • father, Marion Barber, played running back at Minnesota from 1977-80 and ranks sixth all-time in program history with 3,094 rushing yards • he then played for the NFL's New York Jets • brother, Marion Barber III, played running back at Minnesota from 2001-04 and ranks fourth all-time in program history with 3,276 rushing yards • he then played for the NFL's Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears • brother, Dom Barber, lettered at Minnesota as a defensive back from 2004-07 and notched 187 career tackles before playing for the NFL's Houston Texans • has already graduated with his degree in business and marketing education.