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Senior middle linebacker Sean Barber led the Cougars to a 28–2 victory over Humboldt State in the Sept. 21 home opener with a career-high 15 tackles and two fumble recoveries.
“Credit goes to the D-line for that one,” Barber said.

In addition to leading the defense, he also leads the offense on fourth down. Yes, the 6-foot-1, 220-pound business administration major doubles as the punter.

It’s a talent that runs in the family. Barber’s father, Tim Barber, punted for NAIA-member Dana College.

Although Sean Barber was not recruited for his punting talent, he later filled the position his junior year after coaches noticed the linebacker kicking the ball around one day at practice. As of Sept. 21, his punt average is 36.8 yards.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to step into the role. I’ve got some improvements to make, but I’m not doing too bad,” said Barber lightheartedly .

It doesn’t take long to pick up on Barber’s humility the same humility head coach Victor Santa Cruz and defensive coordinator Brian Willmer say has shaped Barber over the last five years.

“You need a guy who is humble to grow, so ‘grow’ is a perfect word for him. He’s done all the hard work it takes to improve his game both in schematic ways and also athletically. It’s a guy who’s not satisfied with what he did yesterday. Those are the kind of players you love to coach,” Santa Cruz said.

Willmer, who is also Barber’s position coach, attributes the linebacker’s growth to his work ethic off the field, and even jokes about how the linebacker takes notes in football meetings.

“Not all players take notes,” said Willmer. “Every year he’s just gotten better. Every year he takes a lot of pride in just pushing himself to get better. He’s not just here to play football, he wants to be the best at football.”

Santa Cruz and Willmer describe Barber as the “quarterback of the defense.” Both coaches remark about his ability to communicate well with the defense and make the checks that are needed to be made.

“He’s willing to lead from the front, lead by example, to share and to encourage the other guys in ways that they need to grow or be motivated,” Willmer said. “He’s consistent. He’s the guy that everyone looks to.”

Santa Cruz said Barber has great relationships with all the other players.

“He’s a real valuable leader and a special guy,” Santa Cruz said. “There’s no ego about him and I don’t think his teammates ever believe that he’s trying to boss them around, they listen to him. They know he has their best interest[s] in mind.”

Barber’s growth over the past five years is not limited to his performance on the field.

“As a person, off the field, and in school he’s just a great young man. He’s the model of what a great college football player should look like in terms of what you do with your life outside of football with your academics to how you conduct yourself,” said Willmer. “He’s grown immensely spiritually. He’s been really involved in the things that we do, from the discipleship program that we have here to being involved with the church, and just being a guy who’s really grown into a solid leader and represents this program well.”

The program has left just as much of a lasting impression on Barber. Barber said he came to APU as “not really a Christian,” but that his coaches have poured into him and changed his life.

“I’ve grown more every year. I’ve just grown closer to God and it’s been something amazing that I’ve been able to see in myself and even the team guys come to Christ through football, which is something really special that’s going to have an impact on me for the rest of my life,” he said.

This will be Barber’s final season with the Cougars. He will graduate in December. He is considering grad school, potentially at APU.