Gholson: Eyes of Texas rest on Raiders QB Barrett

Nick Gholson
Patrick Johnston/Times Record News 
 Rider's J.T. Barrett (6) throws a pass against Kennedale on September 2.

Patrick Johnston/Times Record News Rider's J.T. Barrett (6) throws a pass against Kennedale on September 2.

Patrick Johnston/Times Record News 
 Rider's J.T. Barrett (6) throws off his back foot after escaping pressure from the Kennedale defense on September 2.

Patrick Johnston/Times Record News Rider's J.T. Barrett (6) throws off his back foot after escaping pressure from the Kennedale defense on September 2.

The University of Texas has never spent much time courting quarterbacks from Wichita Falls schools.

In fact, the only one I remember ever starting for the Longhorns was Johnny Genung.

And that was 50 years ago.

So when I got an email last week saying that Rider senior J.T. Barrett had "leaped onto the Longhorn recruiting radar," my first reaction was "yeah, right."

Sometime during the summer a friend of mine had told me to keep an eye on Barrett.

I covered the Raiders season-opener against Abilene Cooper and watched him throw for 28 yards. I was so impressed I called him "J.T. Barnett" in my game story.

Barrett improved to 117 yards passing the next week in a win over Kennedale.

But 145 yards passing in two games?

That's not even a good half at Texas Tech.

Yet Jason Howell, a recruiting analyst for, said that co-offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin has sent Barrett two handwritten letters telling him that the Longhorns were watching him.

A form letter or an email is one thing, but when a guy these days sits down, picks up and pen and paper and writes a real letter — hey, I'm impressed.

Howell also said that Texas invited Barrett to its first two home games, but he was unable to attend.

A year ago at this time, he was a backup quarterback in a single-wing offense.

The only thing I remember about the 2010 Rider Raiders is Deron Royster, a kid who had the talent but not the grades to jump right into a Division I college football program.

J.T. Barrett wasn't even on my radar.

Howell said "a standout performance" at a UT summer camp caught the Longhorns' attention.

Pocket patience is the biggest improvement Barrett has made.

"He has done a super job on what to do both in the pocket and outside the pocket," Rider coach Jim Garfield said.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound quarterback has a strong arm and good mobility.

He's almost a smart kid.

"He's got great mechanics and great quarterback savvy, but his leadership is what they are really excited about," Garfield said. "All J.T. wants to do is win. He knows if he does that, all the other stuff will take care of itself on down the road."

Barrett is not some secret that Texas is keeping to itself.

Several D-I schools have shown interest in getting his autograph. It's just that Oregon, Texas Tech and Texas seem to like him the most.

So whom does Barrett like?

"I'd probably say my top five right now, from most to least, would probably be Texas, Oregon, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State,"

Those five teams are a combined 12-1 right now.

Barrett said attending the UT camp and working with Harsin gave him "a feel" for Texas that has him leaning toward Austin.

However, he also is attracted to Oregon, Tech, OU and OSU.

"With Oregon, it's more the offense, the way they play and the way we play. We play fast, but Oregon plays really fast. I like what they're doing over there and what they have going," Barrett said.

"Texas Tech throws the ball, and I like throwing the ball. Oklahoma, they're No. 1 in the nation right now and doing good things. They're in the spread mostly. Texas kind of shied away from that, but they still throw the ball, and with Coach Harsin coming in, good things are happening. Oklahoma State, they throw the ball. You can see where they're progressing. They're competing with the best, and that's what I like."

Barrett is a guy who puts his team above himself.

But it's obvious that he wants to throw the football.

Will we ever see him do that at Rider?

"He will turn it loose," Garfield promised.

But when?

"Maybe this Friday," the coach said.

I will be watching.

A lot of college scouts will be, too.



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Comments » 3

Ron writes:

He's "almost" smart? Wow, ringing endorsement!

Hedoublehockeysticks writes:

No comment, not that any is needed!

oujohnny writes:

the eyes of oklahoma and osu are on this kid. i truly believe who ever has the best record at the end of the year like texas, oklahoma or osu this kid will pick where the program is winning and playing in a big bowl games. for instance texas went last year (5-7) oklahoma (12-2) osu (11-3) hopefully its oklahoma if not thats ok, oklahoma will reload with someone else.... stats tell the truth not blue chippers lol...


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1. Ben Davis, Graham (2,690Yds, 28TDs)
2. Chase London, Rider (2,389Yds, 28TDs)
3. Taylor Thomas, Olney (2,303Yds, 11TDs)
4. Zach Barton, Seymour (2,036Yds, 31TDs)


2. Cedric Battle, Hirschi (1,323Yds, 19TDs)
3. Michael Bishop, Electra (1,281Yds, 17TDs)
4. Marquis Askew, Burkburnett (1,254Yds, 8TDs)


1. Davon Allison, Rider (1,366Yds, 14TDs)
2. Bryce Reeves, Graham (1,043Yds, 11TDs)
3. Mike Clark, Olney (910Yds, 5TDs)
4. Dalton Jackson, City View (675Yds, 7TDs)
5. Cody Adams, Seymour (670Yds, 8TDs)

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1. Zack Ballard, Olney (201)
2. Brady Brunson, Burkburnett (152)
3. Corey Luster, Vernon (135)
4. Gage Robinson, Bowie (132)
5. Elijah Hull, Hirschi (125)
6. Marcus Leija, Quanah (122)
7. Tristan Sherman, Holliday (113)
8. Garrett Johnson, Jacksboro (112)
9. Austin Martinez, Quanah (112)


1. Justin Silva, City View (10)
2. Treston Shepherd, Seymour (7)
3. Daytona Politakis, Nocona (7)
4. Kevin Stallcup, Bowie (7)
5. Cody Fletcher, Henrietta (7)
6. Garrett Johnson, Jacksboro (9)
7. Baltazar Castro, Seymour (6)
8. Logan Carter, Henrietta (6)
9. Tristan Willard, Nocona (6)


1. David Stretcher, Jacksboro (6)
2. Brad Slade, Bowie (5)
3. Jay Ward, Bowie (5)
4. Hagen Hughes, Graham (5)
5. Mikey Feeze, Graham (4)

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1. Mitchell Parsley, Crowell (1,708Yds, 30TDs)
2. Cody McElroy, Notre Dame (1,677Yds, 33TDs)
3. Bryson Oliver, Throckmorton (1,286Yds, 27TDs)
4. Tyler Mays, Newcastle (922Yds, 18TDs)


1. Cody McElroy, Notre Dame (1,579Yds, 35TDs)
2. Trinity Haggard, Throckmorton (1,326Yds, 21TDs)
4. Chris Lewis, Knox City (1,214Yds, 19TDs)


1. William Hogan, Crowell (422Yds, 13TDs)
2. Nathan Wilson, Newcastle (419Yds, 8TDs)
3. Hayden Farquhar, Throckmorton (413Yds, 10TDs)
4. Michael Fantini, Notre Dame (410Yds, 4TDs)
5. Nathan Riley, Throckmorton (369Yds, 8TDs)

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