Deion Barnes

After earning Freshman All-American honors in 2012, Barnes entered the 2013 season with high expectations, but the sophomore struggled to live up to the hype as he managed only 28 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks in 10 starts. He bounced back in 2014, registering 44 tackles, including 12.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks and earning honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades. With a degree in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Management in hand, Barnes joined fellow left tackle Donovan Smith and tight end Jesse James in electing to forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2015 NFL draft. Barnes was one of three graduate "juniors" who competed in the Senior Bowl, demonstrating the raw traits to intrigue scouts as a developmental defensive end in a traditional 4-3 alignment. After a spectacular start to his collegiate career -- some were projecting Barnes as an early round selection -- Barnes' play leveled off, making him a Day Three candidate who might need to show more commitment to his craft to stick on an NFL roster.

strengths

Has the desired body type for the position and a frame that can be sculpted with more time in the weight room. Barnes is a coordinated athlete with flexibility and movements that allow him to cover a large area. He has good initial quickness off the ball, as well as the balance and bend to dip under the reach of pass-blockers and spin past them. He did show improved football awareness with accurate reads to recognize what the offense was doing and react accordingly. Athletic enough to consider a switch to outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.

weaknesses

Mechanics and pass rush process seemed to stall after an impressive freshman season, showing little improvement in this area. Overly reliant on his quickness and hustle to make plays, showing less-than-ideal length (32 1/4 arms), upper body development and functional strength, at this time. Too easily pinned inside on running plays, freeing the edge for off-tackle runs. Took most of his snaps at LDE (versus the generally slower right tackles), helping to pad his collegiate statistics but projects as a RDE in the NFL. Doesn't possess top closing speed, showing normal acceleration and a lack of explosiveness as a hitter.

Barnes was named second-team all-state, first-team All-Public League and Philadelphia Public School Player-of-the-Year at Northeast High School for coach Chris Riley. Barnes helped Northeast win its first Philadelphia Public League championship since 1983. During his senior season, he recorded 85 tackles, 25 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. Barnes also had three receiving touchdowns and blocked three punts. Rivals.com listed Barnes as the nation's No. 6 prep defensive end in 2010.

Full name is Deion Deryl Barnes. He is on schedule to graduate in December with a degree in recreation, parks and tourism management. Born January 20, 1993 in Philadelphia, Pa.