Barber is a mauling zone-scheme run blocker who can climb to the second level and seal with the best of this tackle class — his PFF run block grade of 90.0 (2nd nationally) isn't a mirage. The problem is everything on the other side of the ball. His pass protection is a tale of two players: patient and technically disciplined against power he can anticipate, but exposed by speed he can't mirror and stunts he's late to pick up. The 33-inch arms and waist-bending tendencies put a ceiling on his ability to win the edge at tackle, and the conversation about kicking inside to guard is real and reasonable. The floor here is a high-IQ swing tackle who gives you dependable reps across multiple spots; the ceiling is a long-term starter at right tackle or guard in a zone-heavy system that lets him use his feet in space rather than anchoring in a phone booth.
- Elite zone-scheme run blocker — climbs to the second level with fluidity rare for 318 pounds, seals the backside, and generates legitimate push when he gets a latch
- Prototypical size (6-7, 318) and elite RAS (9.77) provide an athletic baseline that exceeds his tape in a promising way
- Competitive temperament and physicality — plays through the whistle with a mauler mentality that line coaches love
- Positional versatility with 36 career starts across both tackle spots, plus potential guard flex
- Significant year-over-year improvement trajectory — run blocking and overall PFF grade jumped meaningfully in each of his final two seasons
- Pass protection remains a liability — PFF pass block grade of 67.6 (256th/629 Ts) exposes consistent struggles against NFL-caliber speed and counter moves
- Arm length (33 1/8) is below ideal for a tackle and limits his ability to establish first contact and control the edge against wide speed rushes
- Waist-bender tendencies lead to balance issues and whiffed blocks when aggression overrides technique
- Snap-to-snap consistency is a real concern — PFF game grades swung from 88.2 (vs. Georgia) to 45.2 (at Miami) within the same season
Similar athletic tackle profile with zone-scheme strengths and persistent pass protection inconsistency early in his career. Bolles was flagged for over-aggression and balance issues but developed into a Pro Bowl tackle once technique caught up to tools. Barber's path requires the same kind of technical refinement. Barber himself cited Bolles as a player he studies.