NFL

Seminole tops class of linemen

Florida State's Alex Barron could be the first drafted even if he finds it tough to explain why.

By BRIAN LANDMAN
Published April 20, 2005

Florida State offensive tackle Alex Barron paused for a few moments and still couldn't come up with an answer. Or maybe his modesty prevented him from doing so.

Give us your SportsCenter highlight, a reporter had asked.

Hmm. There was the time, uh, no. Well. "I've had a few good plays this year," Barron finally managed.

A few? That's like saying Florida gets a bit warm during the summer. Come on, Alex.

"Sometimes in the film room, guys would be like, "Did you see that? Dang. How'd you learn how to do it,"' he said. "It was like heat of the moment. It just happened."

Often, even if he couldn't rattle off specific instances. Barron, a 6-foot-7, 320-pounder with freakish speed, quickness and leaping ability, is the consensus top-rated offensive lineman entering this weekend's draft and could be the highest picked Seminole since Jamal Reynolds went 10th overall in 2001.

Draft guru Mel Kiper, during a recent ESPN segment, said Barron was "physically superior" among his peers in this year's pool of linemen. Chicago, choosing fourth, Tennessee, sixth, and Detroit, 10th, have interest, but Houston at No.13, seems to be the most likely spot.

"They've basically told him if he's there at 13, they're taking him," said Luther Bradley, Barron's uncle and former Notre Dame star cornerback who was himself a first-round pick.

In any case, Barron, invited along with family and friends to await his call from the NFL at the ESPN Club at Disney's Boardwalk, should be one of the headliners of state products in the draft.

Others include receiver Mike Williams (Plant High), cornerback Antrel Rolle (Miami), defensive tackle Travis Johnson (FSU), linebacker Channing Crowder (Florida), running back Ciatrick Fason (Florida), tight end Kevin Everett (Miami), quarterback Adrian McPherson (FSU) and running back Kay-Jay Harris (Tampa Bay Tech/West Virginia).

"He has all the talent in the world (to be) a future Pro Bowl left tackle if he learns to maximize that ability on a game-to-game basis," Kiper said.

If there's a knock on him, it's that he hasn't consistently dominated defenders. Really? During the regular season in 2004, Barron allowed just five quarterback pressures, one sack and led the Seminoles in pancake blocks with 64.

Those kind of numbers translated into consensus All-America honors for a second time, a feat matched by Ron Simmons, Deion Sanders, Marvin Jones, Derrick Brooks, Sebastian Janikowski and Peter Warrick in FSU history. FSU will seal off a locker with Barron's helmet, jersey, pants, shoes and pads to immortalize his accomplishments.

"All great athletes make it look easier than it is. They're better than everybody," Bradley said. "Alex didn't have to work as hard (all the time). What he's going to find out is that he's going to be playing against great defensive ends who are just as talented as he is and he will have to improve his work ethic."

That shouldn't be a problem for Barron, 22. Although reserved, almost shy with the media, the renowned practice field comic has been serious about maturing on and off the field. That's one reason he eschewed the draft after his junior season.

"(By coming back), he probably would be first round instead of second," coach Bobby Bowden said. "Most people improve themselves when they come back."

That worked nicely for Brooks, Warrick Dunn and Warrick, all of whom returned for their senior seasons and saw their stock skyrocket.

"It had some weight to (leaving early)," Barron said. "I thought about that. Sometimes the thing is to leave on a high note, and I was said to be on a high note. But I decided to stay to hopefully improve my stock and hopefully become a better player and to graduate."

He's 3-for-3 on that scorecard.

Now that's a SportsCenter highlight.

[Last modified April 20, 2005, 02:56:36]