Austin Barrett Feels Iowa Football Perfect Fit
Illinois O-Lineman Back on Campus for Hawkeye Junior Day
Austin Barrett visited Iowa Football for a game in September. He enjoyed soaking up the atmosphere of a Fall Saturday at Kinnick Stadium.
The St. Charles (IL) East offensive lineman returned to campus Saturday for a junior day. It provided a more intimate look at the Hawkeyes.
“I loved how close we got to talk with the coaches,” Barrett told HF. “The clarity and questions I got answered helped me paint a better picture of Iowa in my mind.”
Barrett (6-7, 270) is one of the fastest rising prospects in the Midwest. He reports scholarship offers from Cincinnati, Duke, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa State, Kansas, Syracuse, West Virginia and others. Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Wisconsin are showing him interest.
Rivals ranks Barrett as a three-star prospect. The service sees him as the No. 15 overall prospect in his talent-rich state for the 2023 class.
Iowa assistants George Barnett, the offensive line coach, Seth Wallace and Jordan Walsh, a grad assistant in the O-Line, who played for the Hawkeyes after prepping in Illinois, spent time with Barrett this weekend.
“They all impressed me by how knowledgeable and professional they were,” Barrett said.
Barrett received a better understanding about how the Hawkeyes coach his position.
“I learned that at Iowa they want their offensive linemen to be athletic, not mechanical, which is something that definitely attracts me. I love that about coach Barnett,” he said.
Overall, he sees Iowa’s scheme as a match.
“I think I am 100 percent the perfect fit for their offense. I love running my feet and finishing guys, and that’s all Iowa does. Their linemen know how to dismantle a defense, and with how athletic and quick I am, I would fit their offense almost perfectly,” Barrett said.
Barrett plans on being back at Iowa for a spring practice. The Hawkeyes kick off the month-long period on March 22.
Academics will play a big role in Barrett’s choice. He’s looking into what Iowa and others have to offer.
“As of right now, I am leaning towards (majoring) in criminal justice,” he said.