Steel Valley defensive back Da’Ron Barksdale has a busy weekend ahead. After his team’s 17-6 win over Imani Christian Academy on Friday, Barksdale said he’s making the trip down to Morgantown to visit WVU during the Backyard Brawl on Saturday.
Barksdale has offers from both WVU and Pitt, but mentioned that he has his eyes on Notre Dame right now.
“I would say Notre Dame, most definitely, my most recent,” Barksdale said. “I’m looking forward to [visiting] sometime soon. This summer, probably, or toward the end of the season.”
While he’s only a sophomore, Barksdale said he prides himself on his leadership ability, especially in the film room. Whether he’s learning from what other people do on tape or providing tips for them to improve, Barksdale pays attention to detail.
“Looking at the little details, helping other people. Some things they do better, I’ll just catch up on it and do it myself,” Barksdale said. “I’m helping them out, and they’re all older than me. I’m one of the youngest on my team, in my grade.”
Barksdale said his friendship with former Steel Valley athlete Cruce Brookins, who currently plays for Pitt, helped him learn how to stand out from the pack as a defensive back.
“I could text him right now and he’ll give me life advice. He’s one of them guys, he’s just always gonna be here for me,” Barksdale said. “I worked out with him dang near every day, and he helped me be me. I’m not gonna lie, without him I probably wouldn’t be me, he helped me out with a lot of defensive back stuff.”
Da’Ron Barksdale said Brookins pulls on his arm regarding his future college choice too.
“Every time I say something about another college, he’ll be like ‘Pitt is the way.’”
