Barrow signs with Oklahoma Baptist

Barrow signs with Oklahoma Baptist

Black Knight receiver set to continue football career at the college level

news@theeveningtimes.com

Private school All America wide receiver Malik Barrow committed to a football scholarship to Division II Oklahoma Baptist during a signing ceremony at West Memphis Christian School on Wednesday. Barrow sported the number one on his high school jersey and will carry it forward with the Bison’s as he debuts on the grid iron Saturday afternoons in the Great American Conference net season.

The WMCS Black Knights won a MAIS state championship in 2017 with Barrow playing corner and wide receiver. Barrow made National Association of Private Schools All America for his senior season outing and capped it in the conference all star game with MVP honors on four catches for 140 yards.

Black Knights Head Coach Marcus Davidson passed accolades to Barrow as he signed the letter of intent and Number one in turn expressed thanks to his family and team mates.

“This scholarship represents a lot of hard work and commitment,” Davidson said to the student body assembled for the ceremony. “We had a good scholarship turnout the last few years and we may have some more signing at a later date. This is a privilege and honor for Malik and you can say you witnessed this.”

Barrows passed out praise before picking up the pen.

“I would like to thank my mom and dad for all the support and providing for me, to make be the best athlete and person that I can be,” said Barrow. “I thank all the friends and families and student body here at West Memphis Christian for their love and support. I thank all the football coaches I have had here at West Memphis Christian for teaching me more than football in life lessons.”

Before tipping the cap for the Oklahoma Baptist University Bison, Barrows acknowledged other schools that had pursued him.

“I’m grateful for the OBU coaching staff and all the other universities that have recruited me,” said Barrow. “But, most of all I thank God for giving me the ability to play the sport that I love at the next level. With that I want to further my education at Oklahoma Baptist University.”

Barrow then inked the commitment and donned the green Bison cap.

Barrow hails from Marion and transferred to WMCS as a tenth grader. His athletic skills weren’t the only thing to get sharper.

Barrow carries a 3.7 GPA which has improved to a 4.2 this year as he tackled college prep courses.

While he was grateful to his team mates for extra workouts he said homework has been a solo effort. The wide receiver hasn’t settled on an academic major.

“I have all A’s so far my senior year,” said Barrow.

“Homework comes natural for me.”

Barrow marketed himself with a steady feed of highlight videos and regular contact with Oklahoma Baptist coaches. He first met team representatives at a football camp in Kansas City, Missouri. He took the initiative to stay on the coaches’ mind.

Oklahoma Baptist is seven hours from home.

Malik’s mom Tina wasn’t to concerned with her second son being so far away.

“He is mature, it will be OK,” said Tina Barrow.

The Bison’s play in the Great American Conference featuring many Arkansas DII schools. The line-up should provide many opportunities for the Barrow family to see Malik play at 2018 league champs, Ouachita, Southern Arkansas, Henderson State, Harding University, Arkansas-Monticello, and Arkansas Tech.

By John Rech