Ty Barman’s first trip to Nebraska came with a little bit of everything: a long travel day, a packed campus and a closer look at why so many programs are tracking the 2029 athlete from Ray, N.D.
Barman, who debuted as a top-50 prospect in the 2029 cycle according to 247sports and a top-20 prospect per Rivals, is already hearing his name attached to rare company. That kind of buzz is new for a player from North Dakota, and he knows it.
“Not really something you see coming out of North Dakota,” he told Hail Varsity. “So I was blessed, I thought it was awesome.”
The freshman standout has already piled up a résumé that stretches well beyond football. He picked up all-state honors at wide receiver and safety for Ray, won gold in the high jump at state last spring and added all-state recognition in basketball while also competing on the AAU circuit. If the ranking holds, the versatile two-way prospect could end up as the best player ever produced by North Dakota.
“It’s kind of crazy to hear and be told that,” he said. “I’ve just got to keep working and hopefully that’s how it turns out.”
For all the attention, Barman’s offer sheet is still small. He has four offers total, with Minnesota and Kansas State standing as his two Power Four options so far. Still, plenty of heavy hitters are watching, including Ohio State, Oklahoma, Arizona State and Nebraska.
Getting to Lincoln wasn’t exactly simple. After a Friday night win with Ray, Barman and his family drove three hours to Bismarck, checked into a hotel at 1 a.m., got back up at 4, flew to Denver and then caught a connecting flight to Lincoln. With his recruitment picking up, that kind of travel may become part of the routine.
“It’s definitely the biggest issue,” he said. “That and finding time for my parents to get off of work since we live so far away. It’s kind of a trip everywhere we’re going.”
Barman said he already has an agent helping him and his family handle the recruiting process, and that Nebraska’s recent communication with that representation helped set up the visit. The Huskers wanted him in town for Bowling Green, so he made the trip.
“I’ve got an agent that communicates all that stuff so I don’t have to do all that stuff, just focus on football,” he said. “They told me they wanted me to come down for Bowling Green, so I made the trip down.”
Once he arrived, Lincoln made an immediate impression. Barman spent time taking in the city before the game and said the energy around campus stood out from the start.
“We’re rolling down through campus, it’s probably three hours before the game, and everything’s just packed,” he said. “Everyone’s in red and screaming already.
The fans were crazy, the atmosphere was just wild. I thought it was really cool.
I had a good time.”
Nebraska was just the third Power Four stop on Barman’s young recruiting tour, joining Minnesota and Wisconsin. What he noticed in Lincoln was less big-city feel and more college-town identity.
“It was a bigger city than I’m used to, since we’re from North Dakota, but it didn’t give a Minneapolis feel,” he said. “It didn’t give a giant city feel. It’s all about the college.”
Schools are still leaving his position open as he develops. Barman said doctors recently told him his growth plates are still open, and how he grows over the next three years could shape where he ends up on the field. At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, he could fit at wide receiver, safety or linebacker, and he could also grow into a tight end or EDGE.
“They’ve been keeping it pretty open,” he said of communication with schools thus far. “Kind of just telling me how big I get, how I fill into my body and go from there.”
On the football side, Barman paid attention to Nebraska’s passing game. He said he wasn’t even sure exactly what he should be looking for on a visit because of the uncertainty around his long-term position, but he liked what he saw from Anthony Colandrea and the Huskers’ receivers.
“I really liked how Nebraska was able to sling it,” he said. “They have some really good receivers and their quarterback’s a stud. I really like the way they used their receivers.”
Barman didn’t get much time with Nebraska’s coaching staff and left without an offer, but he came away open to the idea of returning.
“I’d say I’m just taking everything in right now. It can all change, just like that,” he said. “I’d for sure love to get back, but nothing’s set for sure right now.”
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