Van Buren triple-threat QB Jordan Barlow readies for big senior season

Recruiting services have slowly picked apart high school signal callers separating talents from pro-style to dual-threat. Having a strong arm or possessing a solid arm with the ability to run keeping the chains moving are both important but rarely is a quarterback given credit for overall intelligence. The term “game manger” is used but does not necessarily paint the picture of one’s abilities in the pocket.

Defenses have become far more sophisticated, as have offenses, requiring quarterbacks to be able to make pre-snap reads, know extensive playbooks inside and out, and be able to call upon that knowledge of that playbook in a split second checking down from one receiver to another all while maintaining one’s cool all the while a 6’4”, 240 pound, speed rush defensive end comes barreling down on you.

Van Buren High School’s Jordan Barlow is that unique blend of arm, ability to run, and overall IQ, a triple-threat if you will.

Barlow passed for 2,510 yards, a school record, as a junior in 2014 and tossed 22 touchdowns. Against Greenwood High School he blistered the Bulldogs for 410 yards, also a new school record, with five touchdowns. The other major feat during his junior season is scoring at 31 on his ACT.

Colleges took note of the Barlow’s play on the field. From in-state power Arkansas to teams like Louisville, Marshall, North Texas, Pennsylvania, Princeton, Stetson, Davidson, and Bucknell have all expressed interest in the potential progress of the triple-threat.

Getting an early feel for how quickly things can change for a program, Barlow and company have a big adjust to make on the practice field before the 2015 campaign begins. The Pointers offense was pass heavy and perhaps a little short on the defensive side of the ball in 2014. Seeking to change the fortunes of a 5-6 finish last season, Van Buren High School parted ways with Brooks Coatney hiring Greg Werner as the top Pointer.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview we sat down with the 6’1”, 195 pound, quarterback to go over his junior season, the changing coaching staff, recruiting, and what he is doing in the offseason to prepare for his senior campaign.

 

Jordan, it is never easy to talk about the year before after a 5-6 record. If you don’t mind, walk us through the 2014 season?

“We started off real well, started off with two wins. We were feeling real confident. Our fourth and fifth games were our worst two games of the season. We went into Farmington over confident and did not show up at all. We got beat pretty good (42-22). We could compete we just could not put a full four quarters together. Against Greenwood we let them get ahead and then came back. Against Conway we got ahead but could not finish it.”

How do the Pointers look for the 2015 season?

“We got a new coach (Greg Werner) in about a week or two ago. We are working a lot harder. We seem a lot more committed, even in workouts. We start spring ball coming in on an up. Our guys seem to be bought in to what he is working towards. We were bought in last year but not as much.

“We lost two of our big O-linemen but if we stay focused and continue to work we should be good. Our top receiver is back, he had right at 1,000 yards last season. We did lose our three other receivers.”

I’m teeing one up for you. What will be the strength of this year’s team?

“Obviously I think our passing game will be. Last year we struggled to be a little more balanced. Against Conway we passed 50 times. I think we’ll be more balanced this season.”

What are your strengths as a quarterback?

“My biggest strengths would be my football IQ, my intelligence. I’m good at reading defenses and playing smart. I’m good at being able to move the ball without making dumb mistakes.”

What are your goals for the 2015 football season?

“For our team, I’d say I plan on us making it to the playoffs and making a run into the playoffs. Another goal is to win conference. It’ll be tough but we can do it if we play like we are capable.”

Do you have any personal goals? A big stat line you’d like to reach?

“I was All-Conference last year I’d like to be All-State this year.”

I know you did not run the ball that much last year but when you had to run you ran well. Any chance we will see you run more in 2015?

“We were all Air Raid last year. This year, so far, we have put in a lot triple option stuff that will give me more freedom to run the ball.”

What are you doing in the offseason to prepare for your senior year?

“My biggest thing I wanted to work on is my explosiveness. I’m working five days a week extra on my own running hills with a weight vest. I’m working on my QB mechanics and honing my skills.”

Who are you working with to hone your QB mechanics?

“I’ve been going to The National Football Academy camps since the fourth grade. One of their staff members lives in Little Rock, Boyd Brashears. I work with him once a month or so.”

You have a lot of schools showing different levels of interest in you. When you’ve talked to the various coaches what have they said they like about your play at quarterback?

“The biggest thing right now that I’ve heard is I’m smart. Coaches like that I throw accurately and they like that I don’t make a lot of silly mistakes like carrying the ball one-handed or forcing bad throws. I’m labeled as an intelligent QB that makes solid reads and gets the ball to where it needs to be.”

With heavy interest a lot of colleges want to see you throw in person. Do you know which camps you may attend this summer?

“Right now I’m narrowing down camps I may attend. I have a list of every school that has invited me. Now I’m eliminating schools that have a QB committed already. I’m looking into the different schools, I want schools I am interested in attending.”

On your list are there any schools that as of right now you will attend?

“Right now I am 100 percent with Missouri State, Northern Illinois, and Louisiana Tech. Those are the three I’m 100 percent sure about.”

You mentioned one thing that will influence where you may attend college. What else will influence that decision?

“Definitely my biggest thing is academics. I want to set myself up with a future. The best advice I’ve received so far was pick a place you would enjoy attending without football. And of course I want to go somewhere where I could play and fit in with the offense.”

Are there any schools out there that have not shown interest in you yet but you really like?

“Not really but if I had to pick one school Kansas is one. I’ve talked to their coach but we have not gone in-depth. That would be one school that I’d enjoy attending.”

Which programs have you visited already?

“I went to Junior Day at SMU and I also went to Abilene Christian. I was supposed to visit North Texas for their Junior Day but that was snowed out.”

How did your visit to SMU go?

“It was great. I’ve always heard great things about them. Dallas is a beautiful town. I’ve been there a lot. Overall it was a wonderful experience.”

Do you play any other sports for Van Buren other than football?

“I play basketball.”

What position?

“I play the 2, sometimes the point.”

What was your stat line this year?

“I have no clue.”

Describe your game for those that have never seen you play. Are you a sweet shooting Ray Allen type?

“I’m a facilitator. I’m not a 30 point guy, but I’m very good at getting someone else an open shot. I’m good at getting the ball where it needs to be to score.”

Who has made the biggest impact on your football career?

“My father (Derek) has had the biggest impact. He has taken me everywhere. He’s gotten me into camps and he works with me. If it was not for him I would be no where near where I am today.”

What’s been the highlight of your football career so far?

“Let’s see, that’s a tough one. I moved to Van Buren at the end of my sophomore year. Winning that first game with the new team, getting them behind me was a great moment for me.”

 

Written by Ryan Wright

Photo credit: ncsasports.com; No. 8 Jordan Barlow