Ethan Barr's transfer portal journey took some unexpected twists and turns, but the linebacker is happy to write his next chapter at UCF.
Barr, a two-time team captain and three-year starter at Vanderbilt, fielded plenty of offers when he entered the portal in late November. He visited just two schools though: Washington and UCF, ultimately choosing the Huskies in mid-December.
The Flower Mound, Tex. native made the move to Seattle and then joined U-Dub in Houston for their National Championship appearance against Michigan on Jan. 8. A few days later, Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer accepted the head coaching job at Alabama.
In a situation of uncertainty, Barr re-entered the portal and contacted UCF, which still had room for him.
"The coaching staff here is great," Barr said. "I had a great relationship with them out of the portal. This is somewhere I really wanted to come out of the portal originally... There was a lot of uncertainty (at Washington). Long story short, I wanted to be at a place that I chose. So I ended up here."
It just so happened that he'll be coached by a familiar face. After Barr made the decision to come to UCF, Gus Malzahn shuffled his coaching staff and brought in veteran coach Ted Roof to be defensive coordinator and oversee the linebackers. Roof was Barr's DC and position coach during his freshman season at Vanderbilt in 2020.
"I spent a lot of time with Roof back at Vandy, just meeting together one on one," Barr said. "He did a good job teaching me the game. I'm super excited to be back here with him."
Barr was an impact player at Vanderbilt, totaling 219 tackles over four seasons.
"My first year was COVID year, so there was a lot of moving parts with guys being injured or out," Barr said. "I was able to play in the first game at Texas A&M. I got to play in that game and played in every game since. I got to start three games my freshman year and then I started every game my sophomore year on. I have a lot of experience. With those circumstances, I was able to get experience early and that helped me in the long run."
He comes in with a wealth of experience, something UCF really needs at the linebacker position.
"I think I bring leadership," Barr said. "When adversity hits, I think I can be a guy that the team can lean on."
What will he bring to UCF's defense?
"I would say people would call me a run stopper," Barr said. "I'd say I'm pretty good at pass coverage too. I've had my fair share of plays (in the passing game). I had three picks my sophomore year. I'd say I'm pretty good in the run game. I think that's where I excel and what I'm known for."
As the upcoming season approaches, Barr is particularly looking forward to a homecoming of sorts when UCF travels to TCU on Sept. 14 for the Big 12 opener.
"It'll be really cool," Barr said. "TCU was a place I was a fan of growing up. It's probably 40 minutes from my house. My old roommate from Vanderbilt (Ken Seals) is now the quarterback there. I look forward to that game. It'll be cool to be home and have a lot of people at the game."
Vanderbilt compiled a 9-36 record during his four years in Nashville, never reaching a bowl game. For his final season of eligibility, Barr is excited to play for a winner.
"That was one of the main things I'd say (for why I chose UCF), to come in and win now," Barr said. "That and the opportunity to hopefully play. Those are the two main things I was looking for coming out of the portal. I think they're really investing in the team and bringing guys in that will help the team excel. I know they had a good team last year and lost some close games. I'm super excited to excel even more and go win the Big 12. That's why we're all here and what we plan to do."
