Junior college defensive tackle Tarow Barney signed a letter of intent Wednesday to continue his football career at Penn State.
Barney, who verbally committed to the Nittany Lions last month, also had offers from Arizona State, Illinois and Kansas State among others. He will enroll at Penn State in January and have three years to play two.
Here’s the release from Penn State:
Penn State has received a national letter of intent from Tarow Barney, a defensive tackle who played the last two seasons at Northwest Mississippi Community College. He plans to enroll in the University in January and will be eligible to play for coach Bill O’Brien’s squad during the 2014 season.
The 6-foot-3, 285-pound Barney led the Rangers with 9.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks during the 2013 season. He started all nine games, recording 36 tackles, forced one fumble and had five quarterback hurries. His 9.5 tackles for loss ranked No. 15 in NJCAA Region 23.
As a freshman in 2012, Barney appeared in all 10 games and compiled 20 tackles (12 solo) and four quarterback hurries. He helped the Rangers to their first bowl victory in 20 years when they claimed the Brazos Valley Bowl, 47-36, over Kilgore College. Barney helped Northwest Mississippi Community College to an 8-2 overall record in 2012.
Barney was the No. 5 defensive lineman and 19th ranked player overall in the ESPN Junior College top 50 rankings.
Barney played one season at Bainbridge High School in Georgia, helping the Bearcats to an 8-2 record as a senior. He was an All-Region honorable-mention selection after posting 55 tackles, six sacks and two forced fumbles.
