DALLAS, Texas — WKU Football defensive tackle Ricky Barber has been named to the 2020 Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) Freshman All-American Watch List, the organization announced Thursday. Barber is 1-of-9 defensive lineman listed, including only 1-of-2 from Group of Five programs.
The redshirt freshman from Louisville has produced 43 total tackles, including six tackles for loss and four sacks in the Hilltoppers' 10 games. He has also added two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. His 43 total tackles lead the nine defensive linemen on the list, and rank ninth among all FBS defensive linemen this season.
His four sacks rank third among the nine defensive linemen on the list, as he stands only one sack behind Juwuan Jones' WKU FBS Era (since 2009) record of five sacks as a redshirt freshman in 2018. Jones was named an FWAA Freshman All-American following his stellar 2018 campaign and was believed to be the first Hilltopper defensive lineman in program history to earn that accolade.
Barber was named to the Pro Football Focus (PFF) College National Team of the Week after his performance at Florida Atlantic on November 7 earned an 89.4 overall defensive grade. In the following two games, he has put up 10 total tackles, including four tackles for loss and three sacks for 19 negative yards.
WKU faces off against Charlotte this Sunday, December at Jerry Richardson Stadium. Kick time will be 11 a.m. CT and the game will be broadcasted on ESPN3. The Hilltoppers are 2-1 all-time against the 49ers, including a 30-14 victory last year in Bowling Green on homecoming; all three games have taken place over the past three years.
2020 FWAA Freshman All-American Watch List Defensive Linemen (listed alphabetically)
Ricky Barber - WKU
Bryan Bresee - Clemson
Christian Clayton - UTSA
Khari Coleman - TCU
Terrell Dawkins - NC State
Calijah Kancey - Pitt
Akheem Mesidor - WVU
Myles Murphy - Clemson
Colby Wooden - Auburn
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