Connor Barwin DE/OLB Cincinnati 6'4 256 4.66

Barwin was a tight end his first three seasons with the Bearcats, and he also spent time as a freshman and sophomore playing on the school’s basketball team. He moved to defensive end as a senior and had a breakout season in his only year on that side of the ball. He was a 1st team All Big East selection after finishing the year with 53 tackles, 16 for loss, and a league leading 11 sacks.

Strengths

Barwin has a ton of untapped potential as a pass rusher. In just one season on defense, he showcased all the talent needed to be a playmaker off the edge on Sundays. He is an excellent athlete, that has the intial burst, change of direction, and closing speed to be a tough matchup for blockers. Barwin is a quick learner and hard worker, so he may not be the project many believe he is. He is relentless and will not quit until the whistle blows.

Weaknesses

For the most part, Barwin relied on his natural gifts to make plays as a senior. That is a testament to his physical tools and determination but he will need some work to develop at the next level. He lacks the bulk and strength at the point of attack to hold up as an everydown end, so he fits best in a 3-4 alignment.

Future

Barwin is an intriguing prospect for the draft. He was a decent tight end but blossomed into a legitimate draft prospect as a senior. His combine performance was among the best in attendance. He was fluid all over the field, ran a 4.66 and jumped 40.5" at 256lbs. Barwin has pushed himself into the top 50 with his potential as a playmaker off the edge.