Studious Barron has a good head for game, and beyond
For an offensive lineman, proper balance is crucial for success. Houston Baptist left tackle Hunter Barron also is doing an excellent balancing act between football and his studies.
The redshirt junior is on course to get an undergraduate degree and masters in accountancy — a five-year program at HBU — in only four years.
“It’s definitely difficult, just because you go from football, where you’re mentally and physically exhausted already, but you still have to go to class and focus in class,” said Barron, who has started every game in the short history of the HBU football program coming out of Montgomery High School.
“It’s a difficult thing, especially with higher-level classes. But I also see that in staying disciplined with it, with football, and being able to manage my time and focus, I know that’s going to produce better things in the future and qualities in my character that will help me be successful later on.”
Barron will be interning next summer at a large accounting firm in Houston. He’s hopeful it will eventually lead to a full-time position with the firm.
Right tackle Tyler Brown has been Barron’s roommate since the two arrived for the Huskies’ 2013 developmental season under coach Vic Shealy. Brown has seen firsthand Barron’s relentless work ethic and discipline.
“Honestly, he’s the hardest worker I’ve ever met in my life,” Brown said. “If he’s not out practicing football, he’s hitting the books. He’s always doing something to better himself.”
One of the first players Isaiah Hall met on his recruiting visit to HBU was the 6-3, 275-pound Barron, who excels at left tackle by being technically sound, has good hands and plays fast and tough.
“Just from the start, you could tell Hunter was a natural-born leader,” said Hall, who had eight receptions in last week’s 56-13 Southland Conference loss at Central Arkansas. “He’s a dude that we all look up to and look for guidance.
“It’s going to be sad not having him next year, but I know he’s going to do big things.”
Even though Barron has a year of eligibility remaining, he’s making 2016 his final season. Barron, who was voted Academic All-Southland Conference last season, and the Huskies have a 7 p.m. Saturday home game against Texas Southern.
“We would have loved to have him (another year),” Shealy said. “We tried. He’s very bright, very mature. When we had a conversation in early August, you could tell it was something that he had really thought out. As much as we would love to have him hang around for his fifth year, he’s one of those guys that has a lot going on in his life and he’ll no doubt be successful.”
On how he would like for his final college season to go, Barron said, “I want my teammates to know that I did everything for them and I want to see my team get better and grow more. Which has been an amazing thing to start from, from complete scratch four years ago and to see how far we’ve come since then.”