Check out the ultimate 2025 offensive line rankings within the NFL. The place did the Cleveland Browns rank? Attempt #32. That’s out of 32 groups. So, lifeless friggin’ final.
That is an offensive line group that only a few years in the past was ranked #3 within the league. Which is fairly unhappy.
Editor’s replace: Cleveland chosen Austin Barber within the third spherical. Beneath, you can find Barry Shuck’s unique interview with Barber from the Senior Bowl and his in-depth profile.
And it’s not just like the Browns didn’t have some good working backs. Nonetheless, rookie second-round draft choose Quinshon Judkins missed a number of video games to start the yr, after which turned injured, so he missed time on the finish of the schedule. Veteran Jerome Ford was a non-factor, and fellow rookie Dylan Sampson had his moments however didn’t put concern into any defensive models.
The offensive line may very nicely be 5 new gamers in 2026. The necessity for high quality offensive tackles could be very actual.
On the Senior Bowl, there have been a number of superb prospects. Florida OT Austin Barber was top-of-the-line tackles at this All-Star sport and had an excellent follow week.
The Browns want some assist alongside the offensive line, whether or not that’s via free company or by taking some new guys within the NFL draft.
Dawgs by Nature employees author Barry Shuck was on the Senior Bowl this previous week. He interviewed Barber in the course of the follow week. Final yr, he was named Third Group All-SEC.
OT Austin Barber (6’-6”, 314 kilos)
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Shuck: You performed left deal with at Florida. What’s your low season course of?
Barber: Discover an agent first. Then, the place to coach and take that course of. At Florida, the nutritionist put me on a regimented food regimen, and I’ve to attempt to hold that going and never go wild with consuming stuff that’s not going to assist me.
Shuck: In 2023, you had a shoulder damage. What was the rehab like, and do you’ve gotten any repercussions from that?
Barber: It was a protracted course of, particularly taking part in offensive line. I exploit my higher physique rather a lot. The rehab course of went nice with the blokes we’ve got within the coaching room. They have been well-oriented with what was flawed with me and my rehab. I felt assured each single day getting in. I took benefit of the coaching room day-in and time out. The cryo was nice. Some days have been more durable than others. I used to be 100% wholesome this previous season and proper now.
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Shuck: You had a variety of faculty presents popping out of highschool. How did you find yourself at Florida?
Barber: I used to be recruited by Miami, Ole Miss, Minnesota, after which Florida got here in actually late. For me, rising up a giant Florida fan in Jacksonville, my entire household bleeds orange and blue. As a child, coming to video games and seeing all of the traditions and all the good names of men earlier than me. I knew the place I wished to go from the start, and the minute I bought the possibility to play, I signed the papers the identical day they provided me. It was a fast resolution. My household could be very family-oriented. It’s concerning the journey.
Shuck: Quite a lot of faculty stadiums are actually loud. With an away sport, how was your offense capable of converse?
Barber: It’s fairly troublesome being the offense as a result of we’re communication-based. Particularly with the 5 guys alongside the offensive line. Then you definitely add the quarterback and having the ability to hear him, and the working backs have to listen to what’s occurring. However we ready for loud stadiums. Our coaches did an excellent job of doing issues to get us in the fitting state of affairs the place we actually didn’t want verbal communication. Followers in a variety of stadiums are actually loud, so it will get actually robust generally.
Shuck: You play deal with alongside the offensive line, however actually, you aren’t one man; you’re a part of a gaggle of 5 guys. Why is it necessary for offensive linemen to bond and type a unified unit?
Barber: I’m right here this week with my roommate, Jake Slaughter. We knew one another in highschool, taking part in for various faculties. The connection with the opposite members alongside the offensive line is so necessary. We assist one another, even the youthful guys who come into the room. We develop into a close-knit group. You construct a bond that’s unbreakable with the complete room. It’s crucial. You’ll be able to say issues to one another that others may take personally, however for us, it’s the perfect factor for the participant who wants to listen to it. Adversity goes to hit, and also you want foxhole guys.
Shuck: What motivated you to just accept the Senior Bowl’s supply?
Barber: If you have a look at the Senior Bowl traditionally, it’s an excellent place for prospects to enhance their pre-draft inventory. There’s a confirmed historical past there. In the event you go there and play nicely towards the perfect of the perfect, it’ll finally assist you to. I’d love to come back into this week projected for a sure spherical, and go away leaping up at the very least one spherical.
Shuck: You’ve gotten performed a variety of positions alongside the offensive line. Is that what you’ve gotten by yourself scouting report?
Barber: I wish to show that I’m a flexible participant after which carry out on the highest degree. The primary time I ever bought on the sector at Florida, it was at proper deal with. I began 5 video games in 2022 there. Then, all final season I used to be at left deal with. I wish to present that I can nonetheless play on both aspect. I wish to show to NFL groups that I can play each left and proper deal with. I really like soccer at first. I’m a tricky participant. I’m a superb chief. I at all times put the crew first. In each state of affairs, I’m a team-first man. I really feel like I’ve improved in each single season. I’m nonetheless working to get higher, however I’ve a pleasant, clear go set. I’d say I’m a reasonably rattling good prospect.
Shuck: What is going to NFL coaches and scouts be saying about you once they go away the Senior Bowl?
Barber: I really like showcasing my agility and am a quick learner. I simply plan on placing my finest foot ahead. I’m going to work via the areas of my sport that require enchancment. I wish to show I can do these issues. Quite a lot of instances when taking part in offensive deal with, you’re going up towards the quickest guys on the defensive position, and I’m going on the market with confidence. I wish to present I can play each left and proper deal with and win reps at each.
Shuck: After a disappointing loss in a giant sport, how do you regroup?
Barber: I really like taking part in soccer, and sadly, just one crew wins. However we’ve got one other crew to deal with. We’ve to close the web page and deal with the following man as a result of on the finish of the day, the sport’s over, and you may’t change in case you win or lose. We wish to repair the problems we had within the sport that we will enhance on for the following week, however we’ve got a complete different opponent that’s fully completely different than the crew we simply performed.
Shuck: You performed within the SEC which nearly each week it’s a giant sport towards a troublesome opponent. How does your physique react the following day?
Barber: We’ve a brand new facility, and I mainly reside there. You do your finest to really feel pretty much as good as you may, eat nicely, and relaxation up when you may. Enjoying big-time ball within the SEC takes its toll in your physique. All people has the identical pains. I can’t let that have an effect on me so long as it’s not an damage. You be taught to reside with small aches and pains all week and in video games. You simply do. I put a giant emphasis on restoration and therapy, and reap the benefits of every part we’ve got at this new facility. It’s a must to do as a lot as you may to make your physique really feel nice.
