Barber was an all-district and all-region player as a safety at Hermitage High School in Richmond.

[1] Despite not playing football until he was a junior, he returned three interceptions for touchdowns and averaged over 20.0 yards per catch as a senior.

Barber began his collegiate career at the University of Richmond as a safety but was moved to linebacker in his sophomore year.

As a junior, Barber was an All-American honorable mention by the Associated Press and an all-Yankee Conference first-team selection.

[2] In 1998, Barber saw duty in 16 games (one start) for the Redskins, amassing 34 tackles (28 solo), one interception, two passes defensed and a forced fumble.

In 2003, Barber was then signed by the Kansas City Chiefs, as an unrestricted free agent where he started 16 games.

He started his first game in a Chiefs uniform against the San Diego Chargers on September 7, recording seven tackles and a team-high two passes deflected.