Barber trying to get his foot in NFL door

INDIANAPOLIS — The Gophers' 1-11 record in football this season means Dom Barber doesn't have much company at the NFL Scouting Combine. Actually, he doesn't have any.

The safety is the only player from the Gophers roster at the annual workout at the RCA Dome. However, Barber said he believes that going through such a difficult season actually helped to strengthen him.

"You've got to go through adversity," Barber said. "I have no complaints over our past season. Unfortunately we were 1-11 but that's a great [coaching] staff. We have great players. They are going to be a great team next year. Already the recruiting class they have is one of the tops. I look forward to continuing to watch the Gophers program as it grows."

Barber is hoping he can do so, probably from afar, while under the employ of an NFL team.

The former Wayzata High standout is coming off a senior season in which he led the Gophers with 100 tackles. That was 30 more than teammate Deon Hightower, who finished second. Barber also had 5 1/2 tackles for loss, one sack, eight pass breakups and three fumble recoveries.

Barber, projected as a fifth-round pick by the NFL Draft Scout service, declined to speculate on where he might be selected. But he has taken steps to improve his stock since the season ended, spending time at Perfect Competition facility in Davie, Fla.

"It has definitely prepared me physically and mentally," Barber said. "We had a lot in the mornings, usually we ran. In the afternoon we usually lifted. ... [We did] all kinds of things that needed to be done to get your body in line."

Barber also has relied on his brother, former Gophers and current Dallas running back Marion Barber III, to help guide him through the process leading up the draft on April 26-27. Dom said the two communicate on a daily basis either by phone or text message.

"He's such an asset to my life," said Dom, who will run for teams Tuesday along with the other cornerbacks and safeties. "He's just all about confidence, [saying], 'You've got to come in here, you've got to be confident, you've got to compete. You're here, so make something happen.' "

Barber also communicates on occasion with another former Gophers teammate, Laurence Maroney, now a running back with the New England Patriots.

"[He says] pretty much the same words as my brother," Barber said. "It's going to take a lot of hard work. When you get there, that's the easiest part. The hard part is getting in there, learning what you need to do, adjusting to the speed, coaching and everything. It's now your job so you're going to be in there all day. You've really got to be in tune."

Barber -- whose father, Marion, also played for the Gophers and then in the NFL -- grew up a Vikings fan and admits it would be a thrill to play for the team. Barber hasn't talked to Vikings officials at the combine and doesn't know if that conversation will take place.

The Vikings do have a need at safety after releasing veteran Dwight Smith last week. Veterans Mike Doss and Tank Williams are set to become free agents on Friday.

"I'm a Minnesota boy, so you've got to be a Vikings fan," he said. "The [Randall] Cunninghams, when [Randy] Moss was there and Robert Smith. I've always been a Vikings fan. That would be great [to play for them] but any team to play for would be a dream come true."