Akron’s old-school back with a bruiser’s frame and a pass-game twist
In the 2001-2002 seasons, Ashanti Barbee gave Akron a compact, powerful option at running back/fullback, piling up 86 rushing yards on 24 carries with 2 rushing touchdowns and adding 162 receiving yards, which hints at a usable all-purpose skill set rather than a pure grinder. At 5-foot-10 and 237 pounds on Akron’s 2001 roster, he looked built to finish runs, absorb contact, and help in short-yardage or goal-line situations. He also drew mention in a 2003 Akron preview as part of the team’s deep backfield with game-breaking speed, suggesting a versatile, physical fit for teams that want toughness plus enough receiving ability to keep defenses honest.
