[1] He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2001 NFL draft.

As his team's star player, he led them to the City League Championship three consecutive times.

He was compared to NFL hall of famer Curtis Martin during his high school career.

[6] Barlow was inducted into the Pittsburgh City League High School Hall of Fame in 2017.

[9] He scored the final touchdown at Pitt Stadium at 7:06 PM, just minutes before a record crowd of 60,190 people rushed the field and tore down the goal posts.

[10][11] Barlow played in the final college game at Three Rivers Stadium, gaining 274 rushing yards and scoring four touchdowns against the West Virginia on November 24, 2000.

[16] Barlow was named in the list of the greatest running backs in the University of Pittsburgh's history.

[17] He was also listed by ESPN sports analyst Mel Kiper Jr. as one of the top running backs available for the National Football League Draft.

[20] Denver Head Coach Mike Shanahan congratulated the 49ers for picking "the best back in the draft.

[24] In 2002, after the 49ers training camp, Barlow played in an exhibition game against the Washington Redskins in Osaka, Japan as part of the American Bowl series.

The 49ers gave him the starting job by releasing Garrison Hearst and signing him to a long-term deal for five years $28 million.