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Connor Barwin

  • Height:
    6'4"
  • Weight:
    256 lbs.
  • College:
    Cincinnati
  • Conference:
    Big East
  • Hometown:
    Hazel Park, MI
  • High School:
    U. of Detroit Jesuit

It was fair for fans and media to wonder why the Bearcats would switch their top tight end (31-399-2 in '07) to the defensive line. It didn't take long for an answer as to what coaches saw in practice and on special teams -- that he has tight end speed and defender's mentality. The first-team All-Big East end jumped up draft boards early in the season and finished with 15.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and seven pass breakups. Barwin is a Mike Vrabel clone, a probable end-linebacker-goal line tight end who will impact games in multiple ways.


Positives: Tall with a well-developed upper body. ... Physical at the point of attack. ... Can get under the offensive tackle's pads and push him into the quarterback. ... Has effective stutter and spin moves. ... Relentless as a pass rusher, he also hustles down the line and chases ballcarriers downfield. ... Good backfield awareness to knock down passes and keep contain on reverses, run plays and bootlegs. ... Uses his hands well to keep blockers away and shed to make tackles. ... Stands up on some plays -- may fit as a 3-4 rush linebacker. ... Very coachable because of his intelligence, work ethic and motor. ... A special teams ace since his freshman year; he blocked three punts in 2008. ... Played power forward for the Bearcats' basketball team for two seasons as a walk-on. Negatives: A bit tight in the hips, is not smooth changing direction or handling coverage in the flat. ... Is not a quick-twitch athlete. ... Although he showed some explosiveness and suddenness off the edge, NFL tackles will be more difficult to beat. ... Inexperienced on defense, played only one season; must continue working on his pass-rushing techniques.

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