Prospect Spotlight: Dalton Barrett – Brainerd (2022)

[player_tooltip player_id="18521" first="Dalton" last="Barrett"] was already a fixture on the Pillager Huskies’ offensive and defensive lines as a sophomore. But, looking at a probable three-year starting role on one of the top AA programs in the state and a college football scholarship, life and his own school threw him a curveball. Despite an unforeseen setback, the junior is on pace to again be a two-way player and has college programs looking at the now Brainerd big man. "I transferred from Pillager to Brainerd this fall," Barrett explained. "When my family and I decided to transfer from Pillager, the school wouldn’t sign off on the reason I was transferring. I am on the Autism spectrum, and we didn’t feel like Pillager was giving us enough services to advance my education. I was deemed ineligible this year, so I could only practice, and I would have to play JV." Instead of complaining about a bad situation, Barrett made the best of his year on the junior varsity. "As a sophomore, I started on Pillager’s offensive line and was a rotational player on the defensive line. Next year, I will be playing offensive tackle. This year, I played strong-side defensive end. I didn’t mind it – I learned a lot." Brainerd was one of the programs most affected by COVID19. "Our school got shut down twice, and we missed four or five games because of it," Barrett said. "It was a struggle to get reps in because a lot of us were in quarantine. I played five games on JV. I consider myself a solid varsity player, and on JV, some of the kids were solid, but some of the kids were not quite there." Although Barrett said he adjusted quickly, he had to adapt to a new team and a new – much bigger – school. "Going from a school that has less than 100 kids per grade to a school with 500 kids a grade was a bit of a change." What didn’t change was Barrett’s football skill. "Rushing the passer is probably my strength and then holding my gap against the run. My strength on offense is run blocking. I feel like I can get my pad level low. Sometimes, in my pass sets, my feet get kind of sloppy." Obviously, Barrett’s focus this offseason has been on his lower half. "I have been focused on my footwork on the offensive line. I have been working on getting my pad level low," the 6’7" 250-pound junior said. "I have been going to camps – to compete obviously - but I am trying to learn as much as I can from the college coaches." He will continue to be active at college camps. "I went to a Bemidji State camp. This week I am going to Grand Forks for a camp. I have a junior day at NDSU and then will be going to NDSU for a camp. We have a wrestling training center near here, so I will be going to that. We have a team camp at Bemidji State." Barrett – who is also a long snapper – expects to be on the field – the varsity field – a lot next season. "I think I will be starting on the offensive line and then will be in the rotation on the defensive line." His bad luck competing on the varsity level continued this winter. "In wrestling, I was going to be the starter at 285, but two days before our first match, I took an elbow to the head during practice and got a concussion. The day I got cleared from the concussion, I tested positive for COVID. There was no chance to get back for sections. I did some freestyle and Greco stuff after the season." Barrett is a three-sport athlete. "I play first base and am a utility player in baseball. I have a good glove in the field." He gets his football work done in the mornings. "We do a lot of cross-fit stuff with our workouts," Barrett – who likes to bass fish and hunt - said. "We compete with each other; it always brings a lot of energy." Barrett has an insider when it comes to recruiting - Bemidji State defensive lineman and brother – Cade. "My brother has been a bunch of help. He has helped me get to some camps and pointed me toward the schools that I should be targeting." North Dakota State, North Dakota, Bemidji State, and Minnesota-Duluth have been the most active in recruiting Barrett. "Recruiting has been fun – learning about all these programs that have been messaging me," the younger Barrett brother said. "It is cool when they call and talk to me about what they like about me." He is being recruited without any varsity film from his junior season. "I am being recruited as an offensive player," Barrett told prepredzonemn.com. "Some of my interest must be coming from my sophomore film. I think they also like my size. I test pretty well for a guy my size." Barrett has been tested in more ways than one in the last year. Hopefully, with injury issues, illness issues, and eligibility issues behind him, the now Warriors’ football player can focus on helping his team and getting offers.