Austin Barber, OT, Florida
Size:
Height: 6’6” | Weight: 315 lbs
Accomplishments:
Four-star recruit
“Austin Barber has the overall length, size, and athleticism to develop into a reliable starting OT for an NFL team.”
Strengths:
Arm length
Athleticism
Reactionary movements
Hand usage
Concerns:
Strength to anchor against power rushers
High pad level
Strength
Film Analysis:
Austin Barber is a fourth-year, experienced offensive lineman for the Florida Gators who has seen game action since his freshman year. Barber has been a reliable starter at the LT position, using his natural athleticism and length as key parts of his ability to win as a tackle in both pass protection and as a run blocker.
From the snap in pass protection, Barber shows his above-average athleticism in how he can immediately get depth in his pass set, and against speed rushers can get the proper depth to prevent them from quickly winning around the edge. Barber also has the reactionary athleticism to react to counter moves where defenders decide to cross face and take inside paths to the quarterback. Barber can quickly close the distance and get hands on the defenders to slow their rush. Barber appears to have above-average arm length which allows him to make the first contact and start the sequence of hand combat between him and an edge rusher. Barber can throw punches and stay balanced. Because Barber has good lateral movement and can stay balanced, it allows him to throw punches and stay engaged with EDGEs while also moving laterally.
Barber's best reps as a run blocker come in zone-blocking schemes. On zone runs, Barber showcases a quick first step that allows him to either seal off the backside of runs or he can out-leverage defenders and seal them off when he is on the front side of the play. Barber has good first-step quickness and can be relied upon to get to a spot in zone-style runs. Working duo blocks to second-level defenders, Barber does a good job getting to second-level defenders and making effective contact with them.
Barber's biggest needed improvement as a player would be improving his overall strength, which will help him become a more effective player in both the run game and pass protection. In the run game, Barber can be knocked backward off of the line of scrimmage and fail to get positive moments against stronger defensive linemen. In pass protection, Barber struggles to anchor against defenders who use power as an element of their rush. Power rushers who use immediate power can quickly force Barber into the pocket and collapse it, getting pressure on the quarterback.
Overall, Barber has an ideal set of athletic tools and length that with the right development can help him become a starting tackle in the NFL.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Developmental Traits
Written By: Keith Sanchez
