# Austin Barber
**Austin Barber** is an [American football](https://www.edgepedia.org/american-football) offensive lineman for the [Cleveland Browns](https://www.edgepedia.org/cleveland-browns) of the [National Football League](https://www.edgepedia.org/national-football-league), who played college football at the University of Florida and was selected by the Browns with the 86th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft[1](https://www.nfl.com/players/austin-barber/) • [2](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/5-things-to-know-about-ot-austin-barber-browns-no-86-pick-in-the-2026-nfl-draft). He wears number 58, is listed at 6 feet 7 inches and 320 pounds, and is from Jacksonville, Florida[1](https://www.nfl.com/players/austin-barber/).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Position, team | Offensive tackle (also guard), Cleveland Browns, No. 58, rookie[1](https://www.nfl.com/players/austin-barber/) |
| Measurements | Height 6-7, weight 320, arms 33 1/4, hands 9 3/4[1](https://www.nfl.com/players/austin-barber/) |
| Draft | 86th overall pick, 2026 NFL Draft, Cleveland Browns[2](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/5-things-to-know-about-ot-austin-barber-browns-no-86-pick-in-the-2026-nfl-draft) |
| College | Florida; began at right tackle with five starts in 2022, then moved to left tackle[3](https://www.dawgsbynature.com/cleveland-browns-nfl-draft/117221/browns-2026-nfl-draft-austin-barber-profile) |
| College honors | SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week; College Football News Freshman All-American First Team[4](https://d2b5htfb6s9xp9.cloudfront.net/sports/football/roster/austin-barber/17565) |
| NFL games | 5 games played in his rookie season[5](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BarbAu00.htm) |
## High school
Barber was a two-sport athlete at Trinity Christian Academy (TCA), playing football and basketball[2](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/5-things-to-know-about-ot-austin-barber-browns-no-86-pick-in-the-2026-nfl-draft) • [6](https://www.duncandrafts.com/austin-barber-prospect-profile/). A two-way player, he opened his junior year in the lineup at left tackle and on the defensive line, and in 2020, as a senior, he was part of TCA's Class 3A state championship football team.[2](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/5-things-to-know-about-ot-austin-barber-browns-no-86-pick-in-the-2026-nfl-draft)
## College career at Florida
Scouting services classified Barber as a three-star recruit from Jacksonville who developed into a multi-year starter at left tackle after beginning his career on the right side[7](https://www.pff.com/news/draft-pff-2026-nfl-draft-guide-austin-barber-florida). In his own account, the first time he took the field at Florida was at right tackle, where he started five games in 2022; he then spent his final college season at left tackle[3](https://www.dawgsbynature.com/cleveland-browns-nfl-draft/117221/browns-2026-nfl-draft-austin-barber-profile).
His Florida bio records several individual performances and honors: an offense grade of 74.5 with selection as SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week, a 45-snap game against LSU in his 10th start of the season, and naming to the College Football News Freshman All-American First Team[4](https://d2b5htfb6s9xp9.cloudfront.net/sports/football/roster/austin-barber/17565). [Pro Football Focus](https://www.edgepedia.org/pro-football-focus) graded his run blocking at 90.0, which ranked 2nd at the position[8](https://www.pff.com/ncaa/players/austin-barber/146692).
## 2026 draft and pre-draft process
Barber attended the Senior Bowl and the [NFL Scouting Combine](https://www.edgepedia.org/nfl-scouting-combine), and said he had met with every team in the NFL, with pre-draft "30" visits scheduled with the [Cincinnati Bengals](https://www.edgepedia.org/cincinnati-bengals), Tennessee Titans, and [Arizona Cardinals](https://www.edgepedia.org/arizona-cardinals)[9](https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/onsi/player-profiles/teams-are-quietly-circling-austin-barber-for-one-key-nfl-draft-reason). The Browns selected him with the 86th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, describing the pick as added depth for their offensive line[2](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/5-things-to-know-about-ot-austin-barber-browns-no-86-pick-in-the-2026-nfl-draft). He signed his rookie contract with the Browns on May 8, alongside fellow 2026 picks including Spencer Fano, Denzel Boston, Parker Brailsford, and Taylen Green[10](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/transactions/).
## NFL career
As a rookie, Barber moved inside from tackle to guard, a position he had played only for a handful of 1-on-1 pass protection reps during his freshman year at Florida[11](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/austin-barber-showcases-versatility-in-switch-from-tackle-to-guard). His first NFL game and first start came on the road against the [Jacksonville Jaguars](https://www.edgepedia.org/jacksonville-jaguars), near his hometown[12](https://www.brownszone.com/2026/09/11/austin-barber-going-home-for-first-nfl-game-and-first-start/). He has played 5 games in his rookie season[5](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BarbAu00.htm), and his preseason log includes an appearance in a 27-24 win over the [Pittsburgh Steelers](https://www.edgepedia.org/pittsburgh-steelers) on October 1, 2026[13](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/players-roster/austin-barber/logs/2026/pre/).
During training camp, Hall of Fame offensive lineman [Joe Thomas](https://www.edgepedia.org/joe-thomas-offensive-tackle) interviewed Barber about his first NFL training camp for the Browns' media channels[14](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/video/joe-thomas-speaks-with-rookie-ol-austin-barber-training-camp-interviews).
## Playing style
Barber describes himself as a versatile lineman who wants to prove he can play both left and right tackle, citing a clean pass set and improvement in every season[3](https://www.dawgsbynature.com/cleveland-browns-nfl-draft/117221/browns-2026-nfl-draft-austin-barber-profile). PFF's draft guide credited a prototypical frame, solid athleticism, flexibility, and balance, with developmental starting potential[7](https://www.pff.com/news/draft-pff-2026-nfl-draft-guide-austin-barber-florida). His early professional role has emphasized interior versatility, with the Browns showcasing his switch from tackle to guard[11](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/austin-barber-showcases-versatility-in-switch-from-tackle-to-guard).
## References
1. [Austin Barber Stats, News and Video - OT, NFL.com](https://www.nfl.com/players/austin-barber/)
2. [5 things to know about OT Austin Barber, Browns No. 86 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, ClevelandBrowns.com](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/5-things-to-know-about-ot-austin-barber-browns-no-86-pick-in-the-2026-nfl-draft)
3. [Browns 2026 NFL draft: OT Austin Barber interview with DBN, Dawgs By Nature](https://www.dawgsbynature.com/cleveland-browns-nfl-draft/117221/browns-2026-nfl-draft-austin-barber-profile)
4. [Austin Barber - Football - Florida Gators](https://d2b5htfb6s9xp9.cloudfront.net/sports/football/roster/austin-barber/17565)
5. [Austin Barber Stats, Pro-Football-Reference.com](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BarbAu00.htm)
6. [Austin Barber Prospect Profile, Duncan Drafts](https://www.duncandrafts.com/austin-barber-prospect-profile/)
7. [PFF 2026 NFL Draft Guide: Austin Barber NFL projection, advanced stats & scouting report](https://www.pff.com/news/draft-pff-2026-nfl-draft-guide-austin-barber-florida)
8. [Austin Barber, Florida Gators T, PFF NCAA stats](https://www.pff.com/ncaa/players/austin-barber/146692)
9. [Teams Are Quietly Circling Austin Barber For One Key NFL Draft Reason, Sports Illustrated](https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/onsi/player-profiles/teams-are-quietly-circling-austin-barber-for-one-key-nfl-draft-reason)
10. [Browns Transactions, ClevelandBrowns.com](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/transactions/)
11. [Austin Barber showcases versatility in switch from tackle to guard, ClevelandBrowns.com](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/austin-barber-showcases-versatility-in-switch-from-tackle-to-guard)
12. [Austin Barber going home for first NFL game and first start, BrownsZone with Scott Petrak](https://www.brownszone.com/2026/09/11/austin-barber-going-home-for-first-nfl-game-and-first-start/)
13. [Austin Barber game logs, ClevelandBrowns.com](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/players-roster/austin-barber/logs/2026/pre/)
14. [Joe Thomas speaks with Rookie OL Austin Barber, ClevelandBrowns.com](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/video/joe-thomas-speaks-with-rookie-ol-austin-barber-training-camp-interviews)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Other team and ball sports › Rugby and other football codes › American football players, coaches, and executives › Centers and guards › Offensive linemen generally*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license