St. Charles East’s Liam Barrett is continuing a family legacy on the football field. Standing at 6-foot-7, Barrett transitions from right to left tackle as he gears up for his second varsity season. His coach, Nolan Possley, is eager to see Barrett strengthen the offensive line for the next two years. Barrett, already with six Division I scholarship offers, welcomes the challenge.
“I always wanted to catch the ball and make plays, but my brothers encouraged me to focus on the offensive line,” Barrett said. “In high school, I had the resources, the frame, and two older brothers as role models.”
Liam is the youngest of four sons born to Larry and Dena Barrett. Two of his three older brothers, Dylan and Austin, set the path in football at St. Charles East and advanced to college football’s top levels. Dylan, a 6-4, 325-pound guard, played at Wisconsin and Iowa State, and is now with the Green Bay Packers. Austin, at 6-5 and 320 pounds, started at Indiana and joined Dylan at Iowa State, entering his redshirt senior season. The middle brother, Evan, is preparing for medical school at Illinois-Chicago.
“The older three are 18 months apart, with Austin in 2004,” Dylan explained. “Liam was born in 2010. He brought the kid in us out and made us realize the importance of setting an example.”
Liam fondly remembers backyard games with his brothers, saying, “It was like 7-on-7, more razzle-dazzle. As I got older, they challenged me in the weight room and with nutrition. It helped me a lot.” Evan, slightly shorter and leaner, chose not to play football, yet still serves as a role model.
Barrett feels ready to make his mark, with offers from programs like Iowa State, Kansas, and Cincinnati. Playing last season at 230 pounds, he now weighs 260. Coach Possley noted, “Dylan was a powerhouse and Austin athletic. Liam is tall and gaining weight quickly, possibly blending traits of his brothers.”
In addition to school training, Barrett works with Naperville-based OL Mafia for position skills. “I’ve improved my strength, speed, and footwork,” Barrett said. “Playing offensive line is about more than brute strength, it requires intelligence.”
Possley describes Barrett as a nice kid with a mean streak on the field. “If someone targets my quarterback Cruz Herrera unfairly, I switch to a different mode,” Barrett admitted. “You can’t be a nice guy on the field.”