Former Alabama DL Christian Barmore Signs Rookie Deal with New England Patriots
On Wednesday, defensive lineman Christian Barmore signed a rookie contract with the six-time Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, according to agent Nicole Lynn.
Barmore was drafted early in the second round with the No. 38 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.
The redshirt sophomore led the team with eight sacks in his final season, a total that ranked second in the SEC. His performance was reflected by first team All-SEC honors in 2020, and third team All-American honors by the Associated Press.
One of two former Alabama players to be selected by the Patriots, Barmore officially joins the quarterback who helped him lead the Crimson Tide to the CFP National Championship in 2020, Mac Jones, the 15th overall pick.
In the Crimson Tide's title win to Ohio State, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native took home Defensive Most Valuable Player honors to end a three-year career at the college level.
With the newly-signed Barmore officially a member of New England, 12 Alabama players have been drafted and signed by coach Bill Belichick since Nick Saban arrived to take over the Crimson Tide program in 2007, totaling as the most of any duo in the common draft era.
Here's what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com said of the defensive lineman during the pre-draft process: Attack-oriented defensive tackle with a big body, violent hands and the talent to work his way around blocks and find the football. Barmore tends to be in the lead and take control of a majority of reps. His hands and feet sing in harmony and allow him to stay active and free from attempts to sustain blocks against him. His hands are heavy and powerful but also sudden and efficient, which creates early win opportunities for him in the run game and as a pass rusher. Barmore can be his own worst enemy when he freestyles his run fits and prematurely gives away positioning when posting up in read-and-react mode. He’s exceptional at finding a blocker’s edge and swiping past the outside hand to bring the ruckus inside the pocket. While he has similar size and skill set, it doesn’t feel like he’s as long at the point of attack as past Alabama defensive tackles now in the pros. Barmore’s explosive first step, violent hands and upper-body power are the ingredients of a three-down defender with the versatility to play a number of positions in an even or odd front as an impactful rookie starter.
