After a Historic College Career, where does JT Barrett fit in NFL?

Holding over 25 records at Ohio State and surpassing Drew Brees for most career offensive yards in Big Ten history, JT Barrett had quite the career at the NCAA level. Yet, like many other great college quarterbacks before him, he faces questions about the uncertainty of a future in the NFL. Will he receive an opportunity to remain at the position he held title to in Columbus? Or will a potential pro possibility preclude Barrett from throwing passes?

As a student-athlete who attains success quickly and throughout their college career, the scrutiny that is associated with the spotlight can come early and often. Frequently in the pre-draft process a concerted focus on what is perceived to be lacking or needing refinement by a particular prospect is had. While fans of a program marvel at the moments and productivity of their star player during its tenure, talent evaluators and executives look to scrutinize any particular flaw they view as apparent. Each side of the spectrum can be, and is, often heightened with the amount of experience and exposure a player has.

Barrett, who became the starter for Ohio State in the 2014 during his redshirt freshman season, fits that mold to a tee. Replacing an injured Braxton Miller, a dynamic and standout player now with the Houston Texans, he performed better than anyone could've expected in his first season. Going 11-1 in the 12 games he started, earning Big Ten Quarterback and Freshman of the Year, in addition to finishing fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting. His outstanding first season came to an end when he broke his ankle in the last game of the regular season against rival Michigan.

Following the injury, a big-bodied, pro-style passer with a cannon for an arm and current NFL quarterback Cardale Jones took over for the final few games of the season, helping lead Ohio State to the National Championship. Despite coming off of a year where he rushed for 938 yards, in addition to being the second most efficient quarterback in the country behind Marcus Mariota, Barrett found himself in a battle for the starting quarterback job with Jones and Miller to begin the 2015 season. A battle which he initially came second to Jones, as Miller transitioned to becoming an all-around offensive weapon across the offense. Still, even having began the season as the backup, Barrett displayed his steady level of maturity and leadership, taking the decision in stride and being named team captain.

Both resilient and competitive, he resumed the duties of starting quarterback in the eighth game of the season after playing well as a reserve appearing in six games. During a win against Rutgers in his first start Barrett was outstanding, completing 14 out of 18 passes for 223 yards and three touchdowns. A consistent dual-threat option, he also added 101 yards rushing along with another two scores.

The following week Ohio State had a bye, not playing that Saturday on what was Halloween. Late that evening officers pulled Barrett over after he bypassed a checkpoint line. Saying they smelled alcohol on the breath of the Ohio State quarterback, law enforcement had him perform a series of field sobriety tests. Cooperative, even as mentioned by the officer himself, and though apparently performing well on the sobriety tests, Barrett was placed under arrest. 20 years of age at the time, pleading guilty to misdemeanor charge of driving while impaired. Resulting in a $400 fine and his driver license being revoked for six months.

Suspended for the following game, Barrett resumed the starting quarterback responsibility as Ohio State finished 3-1 in their final four contests. That including a loss to Big Ten Champion Michigan State and a Fiesta Bowl victory over Notre Dame. The following year Barrett returned to Ohio State as the unquestioned starting quarterback with Miller and Jones having moved onto the NFL. Again voted team captain.

Having been looked upon with high esteem prior to his incident and bouncing back from it with no subsequent issues, Barrett's viewed as a leader and a young man of character. One AFC scout mentioned, "Great leader and a high character guy," when discussing Barrett.

Nearly everyone who speaks about the three time Ohio State captain vouches for his leadership. Head coach Urban Meyer who mentored another legendary college quarterback at Florida, compared he and Barrett saying, "JT in his own way is on exactly the same level as Tim (Tebow). And those are two elite leaders."

Soon to be NFL offensive lineman and potential first round pick Billy Price was extremely complimentary of his fellow Ohio State captain. "To be able to continue to lead a team and motivate every position, not just the offense or the quarterbacks ... He's able to reach everybody, that's the sign of a great leader," is what the All-American offensive lineman had to say about Barrett.

Although his intangibles as it relates to leadership and character are seemed to be held in high regard, Barrett's capabilities as a potential NFL quarterback have been met with antagonism. With a published scouting report of Barrett remarking that his operation time and ball handling are a little slow. It continued, stating that his, "release and arm strength are below average."

In spite of holding countless records and accolades, Barrett was surrounded by numerous high-caliber players at Ohio State, which caused some to point to the talent around him for his success. The amount of talent he played with is undeniable, as 11 offensive teammates have been selected in the NFL Draft since Barrett first started in 2014. Among those included in that group of players are Pro Bowl receiver Michael Thomas and running back Ezekiel Elliot. As well as a first round pick in offensive lineman Taylor Decker. Not to mention an entire starting defense worth of players on the other side of the ball who are currently playing in the league.

With his ability as a passer debated, particularly as it relates to his drop in efficiency during 2015 and 2016, Barrett faced some questions entering his final season at Ohio State. As x-factor/playmaker Curtis Samuel and wide receiver Noah Brown were selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, Barrett for the first time lacked a definite option on the perimeter. Placing large responsibility on him to cultivate a young group of wide receivers.

Barrett responded by finishing with a career high in yards, both passing (3,053) and total (3,851), while also setting marks in completion percentage (64.7), as well as passing (35) and total touchdowns (47). All told, he closed his career as second in the history of the Big Ten in passing efficiency rating. Even after a highly productive senior season, the Texas native turned Ohio legend had not sold everyone on his ability to transition to the next level. As an scout of an AFC team put it bluntly, "I want him to succeed but I just don't see enough talent to be an NFL quarterback."

Player comparisons are often brought up as a tool in evaluating prospects set to enter the NFL. The thought is to find similarities in physical attributes, skill, and productivity that provides a glimpse of possible future outcomes of a player at the next level. When evaluating a prospect such as Barrett, a number of different comparisons can be cited. For a quarterback who excelled at the NCAA level but is viewed as having limitations in the areas it takes to play in the NFL there are many test studies.

Those of which who strived and ultimately succeeded at the highest level. Others who never played a down beyond their glorious college days.

Where does Barrett fall?

Two quarterbacks of recent memory who played in the Atlantic Coastal Conference (ACC) and entered the draft in a comparable situation to Barrett are Tahj Boyd and Marquise Williams.

Similar to Barrett, Boyd led a big-time program in Clemson for the better part of four years as its starting quarterback. Also ranking first in his respective conference history for total touchdowns responsible for, Boyd faced questions about the amount of talent he played with possibly inflating his numbers. Comparatively, both players were lauded for their leadership and football character but concerns remained about their skill set as a pro quarterback and transitioning from a spread/pistol read-option offense to a more complex NFL offensive scheme.

Selected by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2014 draft, he was released prior to the start of the season. Following his release, Boyd received additional opportunities in the FXFL, CFL, and again in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, he never did make it on an 53-man roster and play in an official NFL game.

In the case of Williams, he has a number of similarities to the former Ohio State quarterback. With like body frames, both listed 6'2, 220-225 pounds during their college career, they each provided a dual-threat for their respective programs. Their effectiveness on the field while in the NCAA was also comparable, with a career completion percentage over 60 and an identical average of 7.8 yards per attempt. When running the ball each showed prowess as a ball carrier, having an exact average of five yards a tote. Like Barrett in the Big Ten, Williams ranked towards the top of lists in the ACC for career yards and touchdowns.

Undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft, the North Carolina QB — who started ahead of second overall pick in 2017 Mitch Trubisky — received an invitation to the Minnesota Vikings rookie minicamp that May. Though he left without a contract, the Green Bay Packers signed him shortly thereafter. Beat out by Division III product Joe Callahan for the third quarterback spot behind Aaron Rodgers and Brett Hundley, Williams was released during the final cut prior to the beginning of the season. He played the 2017 season in the Canadian Football League with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Though there have been guys that had productive careers at quarterback in college that haven't made their mark on the NFL, a few examples do exist for quarterback prospects that bare a resemblance to Barrett who have made a successful transition. Two former dual-threat Big Ten quarterbacks Troy Smith and Michael Robinson come to mind when recalling former prospects attempting to make the transition from a familiar territory as Barrett.

Smith, who also played at Ohio State, is the only player to rank ahead of Barrett in passing efficiency in Big Ten history. Despite his dexterity as a passer and winning the Heisman Trophy in his senior season, some doubted Smith's ability to play quarterback in the NFL and pondered where he deserved to be drafted. Ultimately being selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round with the 174th overall pick, he went onto play four seasons in the NFL. Including starting six games at quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers during his final season in 2010.

Both versatile and productive an athlete while at Penn State, Michael Robinson was a key contributor in each of his four seasons. Though not taking every snap during his career positioned behind the center, he was effective with the ball in his hands and had a physical stature and running style similar to Barrett.

Starting at quarterback and leading his team to the Big Ten Championship during his senior year, as the Buckeye legend did, Robinson left State College with uncertainty about an NFL future. Being selected in the fourth round by the 49ers in 2005, with the 100th overall pick, he effectively made the transition to playing running back/fullback. The 2004 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year ended his career with the Seattle Seahawks, appearing in the 2012 Pro Bowl while a member of the team. During their victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII, he caught a touchdown pass in what turned out to be his final game in the NFL.

A more recent and current NFL player comparable to Barrett can be envisioned in quarterback Austin Davis, who played collegiately at Southern Miss. Although he was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine where he performed and tested well amid the various quarterback prospects, Davis went undrafted in 2012. While performing at the combine, Davis numbers in numerous categories were similar to that of the kid from Wichita Falls in the most recent.

Specifically, the two were in closest proximity to each other when measured by height (Davis- 6'1 5/8, Barrett- 6'1 1/4) and weight (Davis- 219, Barrett- 224), while also both posting a 4.7 in the forty yard dash and coming within an inch of each other in the vertical and broad jumps. Scouting reports of both mentioned their arm strength as weaknesses, highlighting struggles passing deep downfield. Conversely it pointed towards their work from the pocket and being athletic, dual threat quarterbacks as strengths.

Davis, whose 10 3/8 inch hands surpass the nine inch threshold that most NFL teams hold as standard for quarterbacks (as does Barrett at 9 7/8), began his career with the Rams organization and recently re-signed with the Seattle Seahawks the 2018 season. For a a second year in a row he'll likely serve as the backup to Russell Wilson, another player Barrett shares some similarities with. Particularly in terms of a keyword when it comes to quarterbacks. Intangibles.

In a recent ESPN feature, "QB2QB" Barrett had the opportunity to sit down with Wilson. During which the Super Bowl winning quarterback remarked, "The reason why I believe any GM, any owner, any fan, should believe that JT Barrett is the guy for your team is his toughness, his capability to win games in tough scenarios, even when playing hurt. Who else would you want?" Specifically citing the Ohio State quarterback's toughness playing with a partially healed torn meniscus, less than a week removed from surgery, in a victory against Wilson's former college, Wisconsin, in the Big Ten Championship.

With that being said, the question remains, which team most believes JT Barrett is the guy for their team?

Just this week Eric Galko of Optimum Scouting and Sporting News reported that JT Barrett could be an option in the fourth or fifth round, as the Seattle Seahawks could select multiple quarterbacks in the draft.

Could Wilson have sold the Seahawks on Barrett? May they see a few same traits of Wilson and Davis in Barrett?

Does a potential NFL future call for him to play a different position similar to Michael Robinson? Or could he be the next underrated quarterback set to lead another franchise?

Regardless the answer, it seems that Barrett is determined to fit in the NFL with any team. As Ohio State running back Mike Weber once said when referencing his quarterback, "It's like there's two different types of JT's. It's the savage type and the calm type. That's what you need in football."