Joseph Barksdale Scouting Report

Barksdale was a standout defensive tackle in high school, but he was asked to switch over to the offensive side of the ball prior to his freshman season at LSU. He obliged, and the move has paid off for both Barksdale and the Tigers. He played in all 14 games as a freshman in 2007, backing up right tackle Carnell Stewart. Barksdale started all 13 games in 2008, and he started all 12 regular-season contests in his current junior campaign. LSU's rushing attack gained more than 166 yards per outing last year (fourth in the SEC) behind a stellar offensive line, and although the Tiger offense has not exactly taken off in 2009, Barksdale could be the most improved player on the team. He has been instrumental in opening up running lanes for Charles Scott (4.7 yards per carry) and Keiland Williams (5.3 ypc), as well as pass-blocking for Jordan Jefferson. Although mostly overshadowed by heralded left tackle Ciron Black, you can bet Barksdale will be making a name for himself as the 2010 NFL Draft approaches (assuming he leaves Baton Rouge early rather than return for a senior season). It would not be unfair to argue that Barksdale has been LSU's best offensive lineman in 2009, nor would it be unfair to say that Barksdale is a better pro prospect than Black (who is a potential first-round pick in his own right). While Black is a massive run-blocker, Barksdale is more versatile and better at protecting the quarterback. He stands at 6'5'' and 315 pounds, and he runs under 5.0 in the 40-yard dash. He has even been clocked as low as 4.86 at that distance; some impressive speed for a man of his size. Barksdale does not project as a franchise left tackle at the moment, but he has the tools to potentially switch to that more prestigious position at some point down the road. Look for Barksdale to go off the board in the second round of the draft, and a first-round selection is not out of the question if he performs well at the combine.