Anthony Barr (American football)

Anthony Barr (born March 18, 1992) is an American football linebacker. He played college football at UCLA. He is considered one of the top linebacker prospects for the 2014 NFL Draft.

High school career
A native of Los Angeles, Barr attended Loyola High School in the Pico-Union neighborhood, where he was an All-State running back after rushing for 1,890 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior. He then, however, missed virtually all of his senior season with a broken ankle. He was also unable to participate in the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, to which he was invited.

Regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Barr was listed as the No. 8 prospect out of the state of California. With offers from dozens of schools, Barr narrowed his decision down to Notre Dame and UCLA, before chosing the Bruins on January 21, 2010.

College career
Barr was an offensive player his first two years at UCLA playing running back, wide receiver and tight end. Prior to his junior season in 2012, he switched to linebacker. During his first year as a linebacker he has led the nation in sacks with 13.5. He was named a first team All-Pac-12 selection. He was named to the CBSSports.com College Football All-America second team. At the team's annual awards banquet, Barr was named the defense most valuable player (Henry R. "Red" Sanders Award). Despite being touted as a potential first round draft choice in the 2013 NFL Draft, Barr decided to return to UCLA for his senior season.

In a November 2012 game vs. the USC Trojans, Barr sacked quarterback Matt Barkley, who suffered a season ending shoulder injury.

Barr was named Pac-12 defensive player of the week after the 2nd game of the season for the Bruins, a 41–21 win over Nebraska on September 14, 2013. He was also the Walter Camp Football Foundation player of the week on defense.

For the 2013 regular season, Barr had 62 tackles, 20 for a loss, and has forced five fumbles and recovered four. He led the team with 10 sacks for 66 sack yards and was rewarded with the Lott IMPACT Award.

Professional career
After the college season concluded, Barr was projected the No. 3 selection in the 2014 NFL Draft by Sports Illustrated. He looks to surpass Jamir Miller, who was selected tenth overall in 1994, as the highest linebacker selected out of UCLA in an NFL Draft. The highest selected defensive player out of UCLA was Eric Turner in 1991.

Personal
Barr's father, Tony Brooks, and uncles, Reggie Brooks and Cedric Figaro all played in the NFL. All of them also played at Notre Dame.