Barber attended Auburn University from 2013–2015. After redshirting his first year at Auburn, he appeared in six games in 2014. He had 10 carries for 54 yards. Barber became Auburn's starter during his sophomore year in 2015. In the first game of the season he rushed for 115 yards on 24 carries. Barber finished the season with 1,017 yards and 13 touchdowns. He finished with 1,071 yards and 13 touchdowns in his Auburn career. On January 18, 2016, Barber decided to forgo his redshirt junior season for the 2016 NFL Draft. He declared for the 2016 NFL Draft with two years of eligibility remaining.
Collegiate statistics
Professional career
After going undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft, Barber signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on May 2, 2016.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2016 season: Rookie year
On September 3, 2016, Barber was released by the Buccaneers as part of final roster cuts. The next day, he was signed to the Buccaneers' practice squad. On September 8, he was promoted to the Buccaneers' active roster. In the 2016 season opener, he made his NFL debut but recorded no official statistics against the Atlanta Falcons. On October 10, against the Carolina Panthers, he had his first three career carries, which went for six total yards. In the next game, against the San Francisco 49ers, he had a solid performance with 12 carries for 84 yards and a touchdown. Overall, he finished his rookie season with 223 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown to go along with five receptions for 28 yards.
2017 season
The Buccaneers struggled in 2017 and Barber did not see much playing time until the latter part of the season. In Week 12, against the Atlanta Falcons, he was held to seven yards on five carries but scored two rushing touchdowns. In Week 13, against the Green Bay Packers, he had 23 carries for 102 yards to go along with four receptions for 41 yards in the 26–20 loss. In the regular season finale, against the New Orleans Saints, he had 71 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in the 31–24 victory. Overall, he finished the 2017 season with 423 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, and 16 receptions for 114 yards.
2018 season
Barber experienced an increase in usage in the backfield in 2018. In the first four games of the season, he totaled 50 carries for 148 rushing yards and two receptions for 13 yards. In Week 6, against the Atlanta Falcons, he had 82 rushing yards to go along with four receptions for 24 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown. Two weeks later, he had his first rushing touchdown of the season to go along with 85 rushing yards against the Cincinnati Bengals. In Week 11 against the New York Giants, he had 18 carries for 106 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in a 38-35 loss. Overall, he finished the 2018 season with 871 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns to go along with 20 receptions for 92 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown.
2019 season
On March 13, 2019, Barber re-signed with the Buccaneers. In Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers, Barber rushed 23 times for 82 yards and a touchdown as the Buccaneers won 20-14. In Week 10, during a 30-27 win over the Arizona Cardinals, Barber rushed 11 times for 43 yards and the game clinching touchdown. In Week 13, during a 28-11 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Barber rushed 17 times for 44 yards, two touchdowns, and a two-point conversion. Overall, Barber finished the 2019 season with 470 rushing yards and six rushing touchdown to go along with 16 receptions for 115 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.
On March 26, 2020, Barber signed a two-year, $3 million contract with the Washington Football Team.
NFL statistics
Personal life
Barber was diagnosed with dyslexia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Barber appeared on HBO's Vice premiering on March 31, 2017. The episode titled "End Of Amateurism" was about recent lawsuit claims against the NCAA. The episode chronicled him opting for the NFL draft rather than finishing his education due to financial reasons. He is the cousin of running back Jeremy Langford.
