Michael Dale Barber, Jr. (born June 19, 1967) is a former American football wide receiver who played college football at Marshall University. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005.^[1] Selected in the fourth round (pick 112) by the San Francisco 49ers, he went on to play four seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was inducted into the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.^[2]

High school

A multi-sport athlete at Winfield High School (WV) playing football, basketball, & track, Barber was a quarterback, free safety, kicker, punter, and kick returner. He earned 1st Team All-State honors as a defensive back in both his junior and senior seasons. He accepted a scholarship to play football at Marshall University as a wide receiver.

College

Barber holds Marshall University's All-Time Records: Career Receiving Yards 4,262 and Most Games with 100 or more Receiving Yards with 21. Ranks 2nd in Single Season Receiving Yards 1,757 and receptions 106^{[3][circular reference]}

1988 I-AA National Player of the Year, selected by the American Football Coaches Association.^[4]

Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005.^[5] Named Marshall's Athlete of the Decade (1980s) by the Herald Dispatch.^[6] Inducted into Marshall's Hall of Fame in 1994.^[7] Averaged 17.1 yards per catch throughout his career. In 1987, he was the NCAA statistical leader with 106 receptions, 1,757 yards, & 11 touchdowns. In both 1987 & 1988, consensus I-AA 1st Team All-American. Caught at least three passes in 39 consecutive games. A quarterback in high school, he also threw four touchdown passes at MU on backward lateral plays.

Pro

Barber was selected by the Super Bowl Champion San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round of the 1989 NFL draft.^[8] This was Marshall's highest-round draft pick until Randy Moss was taken in the 1st round in 1998.^{[9][circular reference]} He was one of only five rookies to make the roster and backed up all-pro receivers Jerry Rice and John Taylor.

Prior to the 1990 season, Barber signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he emerged as the 3rd receiver, often working out of the slot position. He started two games at wide receiver, backup punt returner, & special teams.^[10]

Barber began the 1992 season on injured reserve with a separated shoulder and was released mid-season by the Bengals. Two days later he was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he only played in one game, catching one pass for 37 yards and injuring his shoulder again.

Barber retired from football prior to the 1993 season.

Personal

Barber resides in Hurricane, West Virginia, with his wife Amy. They have four children, Brett, Abby, Chloe, and Audrey. He is a Regional Manager for Brechbuhler Scales, Inc. Mike and Amy are assistant coaches for the Hurricane High School girls' soccer team, the West Virginia AAA 2018 state champions.