J.T. Barrett signs 3-year deal with Saints, per reports

I’ll be honest with you, until it was reported that J.T. Barrett had agreed to a minicamp tryout with the Indianapolis Colts, a part of me thought that he hadn’t been selected because he somehow had found a loophole in the NCAA rules allowing him to return for another season at Ohio State.

On Monday, it was announced that instead of the Colts, Barrett will instead accept an invitation to participate in Rookie Minicamp with the New Orleans Saints. Things have changed since Monday, as now it appears that Barrett will sign a 3-year deal, per reports.

Whether to the joy or dismay of Buckeye fans, that is not the case. Though the most productive quarterback in OSU history didn’t hear his name called during the seven rounds of the NFL Draft, there’s no question that he’s been counted out before, and still managed to prove his doubters wrong.

Trying to recap the career of the Wichita, Falls, Texas native in one article would require an insane amount of column inches, but despite the fickle nature of the Ohio State fanbase, it is safe to say that J.T. Barrett is the single-most decorated quarterback in the history of Ohio State, the Big Ten conference, and perhaps the NCAA.

The holder of 39 different, individual records (a list of which you can see below), Barrett is Ohio State’s only three-time captain, and the only starting quarterback to win four games in college football’s greatest and most storied rivalry, Ohio State vs. Michigan.

Barrett was instrumental in leading the Buckeyes to the first-ever College Football Playoff National Championship, and while a broken ankle prevented him from playing in the postseason, his leadership while he was under center, and after he was injured, is the stuff of legend.

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A three-time Big Ten Quarterback of the Year, in addition to holding the OSU record for passing and total offensive yards in a career, he also ranks seventh in school history in terms of rushing yards. In addition to his three Griese-Brees B1G QB of the Year Awards, he was also given the Chicago Tribune’s Silver Football as the league’s best player in 2016, and is a two-time All-Big Ten first-team selection, and was an All-American in 2014.

However, despite his ridiculous amount of accolades, there are few that believe that his accomplishments will translate to a successful career as an NFL starting quarterback.

As scouts project Barrett to the next level, they note that he is not a naturally accurate passer, especially on deep balls; he completed only 28 percent of his throws over 21 yards as a senior. Even though he measured in at just over 6’1 at the NFL Combine, the fact that he throws the ball with a 3/4 delivery, makes him seem even shorter in the pocket.

Critics also note that Barrett was too reliant on his legs at OSU; often abandoning his progressions when pressure approached; although he improved over time. He also had a tendency to opt for the shorter, safer routes, even when receivers were open downfield.

However, there has rarely been a leader in the college game like Barrett. He is a powerful runner, able to pick up valuable, difficult yards. He also has developed into a quarterback comfortable standing in the pocket and taking a hit to deliver a pass. Scouts also note that he has an innate ability to understand the defenses being played against him, and is able to look safeties off, and understands when corners are attempting to bait him.

Whether or not Barrett ever achieves anything in the pros that approaches his success in college is yet to be seen. However, he has already proven that he has the requisite skills to be a valuable member of an NFL roster in some capacity. Congrats to J.T., I certainly would never count him out of anything, and I can’t wait to see him prove people wrong, yet again.