Former W.S. Neal Eagle football player and current Tuskegee University Golden Tiger Nykeem Barton is looking forward to the 2010 football season.

Barton, 21, graduated from W.S. Neal High School in East Brewton in 2007.

“I started college in fall 2007, and I have been having fun and taking care of business,” Barton said.

The 5-11, 213 pound running back will enter his fourth season at Tuskegee this season.

In 2007, Barton played in four games rushing for 73 yards on 18 attempts with no touchdowns.

In 2008, he played in five games rushing 15 times for 104 yards.

This past season in 2009, Barton rushed 64 times for 208 yards and not only scored his first touchdown in college, but scored six.

Barton also caught three passes for 37 yards and one touchdown.

Tuskegee has gone 12-0, 11-1, and 10-2 in his three seasons.

“Football has been great to me and I love every day of it,” Barton said. “I play running back and this will be my fourth year coming up.”

Barton said his mother, Felicia Barton, is his reason for going to Tuskegee.

“She wanted to go to Tuskegee so I’m living her dream,” Barton said. “I just want to thank my mom, because without her, none of this was possible. I love my momma.”

Barton says there are many differences between high school football and the college game, but there is one main difference.

“It is just a lot faster,” Barton said. “My advice to an incoming freshman wanting to play the college game would be to tell them to work hard, have fun, but at the end make sure you take care of business.”

Barton said he has many memories while going to Tuskegee.

“My favorite memories are just passing all my classes every semester,” Barton said. “In football, we’ve won three championships in three years.”

Barton has two more years left in school as he is in a five-year program to become an electrical engineer. After finishing up his undergraduate studies, Barton says he then plans on going to get my masters.

“I just want to be successful at whatever I decide to do,” he said.

Tuskegee opens the 2010 season at home against Benedict at Abbott Stadium in a conference match up. On Sept. 11, the Golden Tigers will face in-state conference rival Stillman in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Tuskegee will entertain Albany State at Abbott Stadium on Sept. 18.