Ethan Barbour Updates Recruitment, Talks SEC Schools
It didn't take long to identify 2025 four-star tight end Ethan Barbour. In an Alpharetta vs. Gainesville scrimmage that boasted several Power-5 prospects, Barbour stuck out like a sore thumb. Major programs were in to see him on Wednesday, and he performed well against top-tier competition. Barbour caught up with Volunteer Country post-game to discuss his ongoing national recruitment.
Georgia is developing a strong lineage of elite tight ends. Darnell Washington was a third-round NFL draft pick, Brock Bowers projects as a top-10 pick in the 2024 class, and several other elite tight ends are already on campus. The Bulldogs have hosted Barbour eight times, by far the most of any program.
"They are going to work, and they are going to find the best guys. That tight end room is something special - Coach [Todd] Hartley he does a lot of great things with his tight ends, whether it's in the run game or passing game. To go there, you have to be elite, and that's what he really likes about me."
Tennessee is quickly becoming a favorite for Barbour. They lost footing when previous tight ends coach and offensive coordinator Alex Golesh left for the USF head coaching job, but new tight ends coach Alec Abeln is quickly forming a bond with Barbour. The Vols' fast-paced offense is always a draw for national pass catchers hoping to make a name at the college level, and he recognizes that.
"Me and coach [Abeln] have been getting to know each other since his recent promotion. I'm starting to build a relationship with him, he's trying to tell me what they are doing with the tight ends at Tennessee. Fast-paced offense, they spread the ball out, they throw the ball, so that's really nice to hear."
The South Carolina Gamecocks have made a lasting impression on Barbour. He was on campus on April 1 and get his first in-person look at this staff and culture. The Gamecocks were represented at the scrimmage, and Barbour gave glowing remarks about the coaches and how he sees their tight end usage.
"Coach [Shane] Beamer, he has something special going on over there. He has turned the program around. Coach [Jody] Wright likes to do something special with his tight ends too. They got a couple of transfers, a couple of dogs, and they like throwing the ball a lot. But they also use tight ends in the run game a lot, so to go there, you have to be versatile as well, so I really like what they are doing with the tight ends."
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