Arkansas wide receiver gives verbal commitment to KU

Neal Barlow ranked No. 71 wideout in class of 2009

Kansas University’s football team received its 14th commitment in the Class of 2009 when Neal Barlow, a 6-foot-6 receiver out of Little Rock, Ark., passed up LSU and Missouri to become a Jayhawk.

“I talked to my family about the decision, and I just felt that Kansas was the best place for me,” Barlow told Rivals.com. “It was a gut feeling, and I just knew that Kansas is where I wanted to be.”

A three-star recruit and the nation’s No. 71-ranked receiver according to Rivals, Barlow caught 81 passes for 1,164 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior last season.

He also saw time at safety, according to Pulaski Academy coach Kevin Kelley.

Barlow, the first receiver to commit to Kansas in the ’09 class, called first-year Jayhawks receivers coach David Beaty a major factor in his decision.

“I’ve gotten to know coach Beaty, and I’ve spent a lot of time with him,” Barlow said. “I just love coach Beaty, and he is a great guy. He is a big reason why I committed to Kansas.”

Oral commitments are nonbinding until the spring letter-of-intent signing period.