The football journey of D’Angelo Barber, a redshirt freshman at Auburn with immense potential, has hit a significant snag due to serious legal issues. Barber was arrested Monday morning in Dadeville, Alabama, as a simple traffic stop morphed into a considerable legal battle for the promising linebacker.
As detailed in local reports, authorities discovered 2.5 pounds of marijuana, THC vapes, digital scales, and a Glock 19 pistol in the vehicle Barber was in—a 2019 GMC Yukon XL. The young linebacker was one of two men charged, casting a shadow over what many hoped would be a standout career on the field.
This wasn’t a case of getting caught for a minor infraction. The Dadeville patrolman initiated the stop around 9 a.m. CT and, upon finding probable cause, engaged the Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force, escalating the situation into a major legal matter that could jeopardize Barber’s future in football.
The Legal Hurdle For Auburn’s Linebacker
Barber’s legal woes are substantial. He faces charges of trafficking marijuana, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Alongside Barber was Marcell Brewster, a high school acquaintance from Clay-Chalkville, who now shares in the legal troubles, charged with second-degree possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
The vehicle search yielded a hefty list of items that spells more than a lapse in judgment: marijuana stashed away in packaging, numerous vapes, precise digital scales, a firearm, and nearly $1,900 cash. These findings turn this incident into a serious criminal case rather than a youthful mistake.
Originally recruited as a three-star linebacker in Auburn’s 2024 class, Barber’s physicality—standing at 5-foot-11 and 233 pounds—fit the mold perfectly for an inside linebacker. After redshirting his first year, he was eagerly preparing to prove himself. However, his standing with the team now faces uncertainty. Auburn’s official comment remains pending, leaving head coach Hugh Freeze in a particularly challenging position amidst a recruiting class yet to find its footing at 79th nationally.
Freeze has consistently advocated for patience and trust in Auburn’s strategic vision for the future. Unfortunately, Barber’s arrest introduces an unanticipated complication, shifting the focus from potential athletic success stories to dealing with heavy legal issues.
