Anthony Barr going from offense to defense changes his career forever

Anthony Barr started off his UCLA career as a wide receiver before switching to running back. There wasn’t much path to playing time for him and he did not see the field much his freshman or sophomore year. His college career was dwindling away. Transferring schools in this era was very rare as well with no NIL and having to sit out a year to be eligible.

Then came junior year, Barr made a decision that would change his career forever. He put behind playing on offense and switched over to defense as a linebacker. There he became a two time All Pac-12 linebacker. In 2013 he became an All-American at the end of his senior season. The transformation in such a quick timeframe was an amazing feat. 

Barr over those two seasons had 41.5 tackles for loss and 23.5 sacks. He also forced 10 fumbles over those two years. Becoming one of the most feared rushing linebackers in the nation. Most notably in 2012 in a 38-20 UCLA win over USC, changing Matt Barkley’s career forever. One of the hardest hits you will ever see pushing Barkley from a first round pick to a fourth-round pick. 

Barr was then drafted with the ninth overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2014 NFL Draft. He would spend eight years there becoming a four-time pro bowler. He was versatile in coverage and could rush the passer. Providing a staple to a Vikings defense that also included another former Bruin in Eric Kendricks. Barr would finish with 18.5 sacks, 41 tackles for loss and eight forced fumbles in his career that included one season with the Dallas Cowboys.

In the end, Barr announced his retirement before the start of this NFL season. He made the best decision he possibly could his junior year at UCLA. It led to him being one of the best players in college and a good NFL career. Who knows what would’ve happened to his career if he never talked to the coaches about making that move.