Thomas Barber extends his family's legacy with the Gophers

Thomas Barber committed to the Gophers on Friday. His father (Marion Jr.) and two older brothers (Marion III and Dominique) are all former Minnesota players.

By Joe Christensen Star Tribune

March 13, 2015 — 3:43pm

The Gophers landed another legacy recruit Friday, when Robbinsdale Armstrong linebacker Thomas Barber announced he is committing to Minnesota.

Barber's two older brothers -- Marion III and Dom -- both played for the Gophers, as did their father, Marion Jr. The 6-1, 225-pound Thomas Barber is listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com.

His commitment comes one day after the Gophers landed Carter Coughlin, a four-star linebacker from Eden Prairie who had narrowed his choices to Minnesota, Ohio State and Oregon. Coughlin is the son of former Gophers defensive lineman Bob Coughlin.

Last weekend, the Gophers hosted Coughlin and Barber on unofficial visits, along with two top offensive line recruits: Sam Schlueter from Mayer Lutheran and Matt Kegel from Chaska. Eventually, the Gophers hope to bring all four of them into the fold.

Barber made his announcement on Twitter:

Joe Christensen, a Star Tribune sports team leader, graduated from the University of Minnesota and spent 15 years covering Major League Baseball, including stops at the Riverside Press-Enterprise and Baltimore Sun. He joined the Star Tribune in 2005 and spent four years covering Gophers football.

Joe.Christensen@StarTribune.com 612-673-7844

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