Peyton Barber was thrust into the national spotlight at the NFL Combine on Feb. 24, but the reason had nothing to do with his 40-yard dash time, vertical leap or broad jump.
Instead, the attention he garnered was because of a statement he made during a press conference — that he had entered the NFL Draft after just one season as the feature running back at Auburn because his mom is homeless.
The story was immediately picked up by national news, and Barber became the talk of the Combine for a day.
“I knew if I ever accomplished my goals it would come to light someday, but I didn't think it would come to the light like how it is now,” Barber said after his workouts at Auburn’s Pro Day on Monday. “Family is family. I'm going to do anything and everything for them.”
While he received more attention off the field than he was expecting, Barber failed to draw much consideration on it. Pro Day gave him another opportunity to show the 55 NFL personnel in attendance what he could do.
Though the stout tailback used the chance to lower his 40-yard dash time slightly, he did not improve in other drills.
His broad jump, which was next-to-last among running backs at the Combine, did not exceed the 111 inches he jumped in Indianapolis. Barber also competed in the vertical jump, but he fell short of his mark at the Combine.
Though they were not the measurements he was hoping for, Barber hopes his film speaks for itself.
In his one season as the No. 1 running back at Auburn, the Alpharetta, Georgia, native became known as a bruising back who could pick up yards between the tackles despite his lack of elite speed.
“I think he's got a good upside,” said Auburn coach Gus Malzahn. “The thing about Peyton is he'll protect, he'll block. He runs with great pad level; he's a tough guy. He was banged up a lot of the year, too. So he's a tough guy, and he's the kind of guy teams are looking for.”
Though he has yet to wow pro teams with his measurable attributes, Barber has drawn attention from most NFL front offices. Every team spoke with Barber before or at the Combine beside the New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers, according to AL.com, and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick attended Auburn’s Pro Day.
Barber is expected to be drafted in the late rounds, if at all. It’s possible he will be forced to sign with a team as an undrafted free agent. However, if the opportunity comes about, Barber is determined to take full advantage of it.
“All I need is a chance,” he said.
After rushing for over 1,000 yards in the SEC as a former three-star running back recruit, it wouldn’t be the first time he’s overcome long odds and proved his doubters wrong.
“I feel as if I'm an every-down back,” Barber said. “I can run the ball, catch the ball, block. Anything you need me to do, I feel as if I can do.”
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