NFL Draft Profile: Amare Barno, Defensive End, Virginia Tech Hokies
#38
Pos: DE
Ht: 6045
Wt: 246
Hand: 0900
Arm: 3400
Wing: 8118
40: 4.36
Shuttle: 4.45
Vertical: 37
Broad Jump: 1011
DOB: 4/26/99
Eligible: 2022
Blythewood, SC
Westwood
Amare Barno
Virginia Tech Hokies
Pros:
Virginia Tech’s defense in recent years has featured several versatile athletes working out of position to get the best 11 players on the field. Amaré Barno, a former off-ball linebacker, is one such standout who has started two straight seasons as a pass-rushing outside linebacker. The South Carolina native boasts impressive quickness off the line. Similarly, he has notable downhill closing speed to the tackle point. The 6060 defender has solid length to make tackles through engagement at times. He is capable of stacking and windowing against some tight ends. For the most part in run defense, Barno displays the requisite patience to play assignment football. He waits out the mesh point and exhibits a hot motor to chase ball carriers down. As a pass rusher, Barno attempts both inside and outside rushes to keep linemen honest; he identifies soft inside shoulders. The former linebacker has decent bend to ghost rush around the outside track; likewise, he can flatten to the quarterback after a cross-chop. Before engagement, Barno sometimes employs jab steps and body fakes to force false steps. He works his hands into passing lanes. The athletic defender has the movement skills to spy the quarterback or handle the flats in zone. He is an efficient tackler in space. He offers special teams value.
Cons:
While he boasts impressive burst and solid length, the Hokies’ standout has a concerning overall profile as an NFL prospect. Specifically, he noticeably lacks play strength to a potentially prohibitive degree. He generates very little push at first contact, even with leverage. What’s more, Barno enters full-man engagement too willingly and is unable to win from that position. Linemen and even tight ends regularly control and seal him. While Barno has the length to stack, he is unable to break blockers’ grips and shed. Further, linemen mitigate his quickness by landing shots early to slow him down; when he attempts speed rushes, they push him off-course with a single punch. Once opponents latch on, they drive Barno back off the ball. At the next level, skill position players will likely overpower him. Moreover, Barno’s very high pad level surrenders his chest and decreases both his proactive and reactive power. He is also typically late and lazy with his hands. He frequently runs into linemen without a plan. Once locked up, Barno hardly attempts to deconstruct blocks. He rarely attempts speed rushes; rather, he tries his ineffective spin move far too often. The former linebacker plays ahead of his center of gravity when attempting to win leverage and invites linemen to put him on the ground. In run defense, Barno overcommits too often. His tackling in the box is inconsistent.
Summary:
Not all roads to the NFL are equal. Amaré Barno was an unranked prospect who went from being a junior college linebacker to a starting pass rusher in the ACC. The South Carolina native boasts impressive downhill burst and decent bend. He exhibits notable effort in the run game and the versatility to play off-ball. That said, Barno’s pad level and hand usage severely limit his projection. Moreover, he has nearly prohibitive play strength. Currently a practice squad-level player, Barno can eventually make a roster thanks to his versatility and special teams value.
Background:
Born on April 26th, 1999 in Blythewood, South Carolina, Amaré Barno is part of a very large family that includes 10 other children, his stepfather, Keith Middleton, and his mother, Tonia Middleton-Barno. At Virginia Tech, Barno majors in public health. The South Carolina native’s road to success was an unorthodox one. An unranked outside linebacker recruit at Westwood High School, Barno chose to attend Butler Community College. In 2018 for the Grizzlies, he made 66 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. In his JUCO career, he recorded 91 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two interceptions and three forced fumbles. 247Sports Composite JUCO labeled the highly-touted community college recruit a three-star outside linebacker. The same service named him the 78th-best JUCO recruit in the country, the 4th-overall at his position that year and the 17th-ranked JUCO player from South Carolina that year. After choosing to attend Virginia Tech, Barno played in just three games in 2019. The next season, he made the move from linebacker to defensive end. In 2020, he played in all 11 of the Hokies’ games and started the last six on the defensive line. In a breakout year, he recorded 43 tackles, one fumble recovery, two forced fumbles, two pass breakups, three quarterback hurries and two passes defended. He also tied for the team lead and eighth in the ACC with 6.5 sacks. Most impressively, Barno led power five players and was third in FBS with 16 tackles for loss. Phil Steele named him to his All-ACC Third Team; the ACC, itself, awarded Barno All-ACC Honorable Mention. In 2021, the Butler product started every game at defensive end. He made 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 35 tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Amaré Barno was invited to and has accepted an invitation to the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl.
Grades
Current Player Value/Potential Player Value
5.9 / 7.0
Floor/Ceiling: Developmental Practice Squad Player / Special Teamer and Rotational Hybrid Defender
Scheme Fit: SAM in a 4-3 Under-Heavy Front / Hybrid SAM in a 3-4
Grade: UDFA
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