The running back who became an NFL star by changing positions
In short: Before he was a first-round NFL draft pick, Anthony Barr struggled as an offensive player at UCLA. Facing the prospect of quitting football entirely, a pivotal mid-college position switch transformed him from a struggling running back into one of the most dominant linebackers in the league.
During his first two years at UCLA, Anthony Barr played on the offensive side of the ball as a running back, wide receiver, and tight end. While he started 12 games in each of those first two seasons, his performance as a ball carrier was underwhelming, totaling only 54 yards on 15 carries. The struggle was so significant that it nearly led him to walk away from the sport altogether.
The turning point arrived prior to his junior season in 2012, when Barr transitioned to linebacker. The impact was immediate and profound. In his first year at the new position, he recorded 83 tackles and 13.5 sacks—the second-highest sack total in the nation at the time. This defensive prowess earned him first-team All-Pac-12 honors and the Lott IMPACT Award.
His collegiate success translated to the professional level when the Minnesota Vikings selected him ninth overall in the 2014 NFL draft. Barr's career was marked by high-level production, including four consecutive Pro Bowl appearances from 2015 to 2018. However, his journey was also defined by physical resilience, navigating various injuries ranging from a broken left hand in 2014 to a torn pectoral muscle in 2020.
Beyond the field, Barr leveraged his success to launch 'Raise the Barr' in 2016. This nonprofit initiative supports single-parent undergraduate students in Minnesota and California, having raised over $250,000 to provide college and emergency grants to families.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Anthony Barr (American football)
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