Recruiting Report: Ty Barron (2018)

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>Ty Barron</strong> appeared ready to be Minnetonka’s feature back after emerging as an offensive threat late in his sophomore season.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Skippers coach <strong>Dave Nelson</strong> and his staff reevaluated the roster last offseason, though, and decided to move the 215-pounder to linebacker. Barron rewarded the decision with an All-West Metro District junior season, leading the team in sacks while finishing third on the team in tackles.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">“He is very instinctive – gets to the ball and is physical,” Nelson said via email. “I think he has gained confidence since his first start.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Barron, who was elected a Skippers’ 2018 captain, is also a standout lacrosse player. He’s been playing since third grade and said he’s received offers to play Division I. He’s choosing to play football at the next level.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">“Football is my passion,” Barron said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Coming off his breakout season at inside linebacker, Barron has been working on his strength in the weight room, along with his coverage skills on the field. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">“I wasn’t asked to do a whole lot of coverage,” Barron said via email, “but I know improving these skills will allow me to become a more well-rounded player.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Barron’s football instincts have been enhanced through preparation. He “loves film study” and said he believes it’s given him a better understanding for opposing offenses, along with a stronger feel for his role in the Minnetonka defense.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">He comes from an athletic family. His father played football at Gustavus, and his sister, Mia, runs track for the University of Virginia. Nelson said he thinks having the lineage of college athletes is a motivating factor for Barron.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">“We think Ty has a chance to be on the short list of the greatest players to play here,” Nelson said. “He has the intangibles, character and talent to do that.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Barron has visited Division I programs from the Big Ten to the Ivy League this spring for their junior days. He said he’s been hearing the most from Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota State, Air Force and Columbia.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">“All are tremendous programs which offer not only football and educational opportunities, but also prepare you as a man and for the rest of your life,” Barron said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Academics are as much of priority as football to Barron. His grandfather and father are both clinical psychologists, which has rubbed off on him, but he also indicated coaching is a career that’s “always excited him.”</span></span></p>