Highly ranked kicker Alex Barbir will commit to Rutgers

Rutgers will receivea big kick to an already solid recruiting class as sources tell Metro that the program will receive a verbal commitment from Alex Barbir this weekend.

Considered one of the best high school kickers in the nation, Barbir has been heavily recruited by the Scarlet Knights in recent weeks. The process began in earnest in late June when Barbir visited campus and the red carpet was rolled out for the Georgia native.

This past weekend, he was expected to visit fellow Big Ten program Illinois, whichalso offered, along with Air Force, Army and Navy. Georgia and Penn State were also showing increased interest in the kicker, known for his big leg. According to 247Sports.com, Barbir is the eighth best kicker in the nation.

Recruiting a kicker is among the most difficult positions for most college teams, and only 20 programs this year are prepared to offer a kicker a scholarship. Barbir and Rutgers now join that number.

He made six-of-eight field goal attempts during his junior year, including successful attempts from 56 yards and 52 yards. Barbir also was 42-for-43 in his point after attempts. He boasts an 85 percent touchback rate and his average kickoff was 70 yards.

For the past two seasons, he’s been both an all-county and an all-region selection as well as first-team all-state. Barbir appears poised to be the program’s kicker of the future.

An announcement is expected as early as Friday.

Currently, the Rutgers recruiting class sits at No. 37 in the nation according to Rivals.com.