Nick Barrett

NFL Draft Profile: Nick Barrett

Position: Defensive Tackle (Nose) | School: South Carolina | Class: Redshirt Senior

Height: 6'3" | Weight: 327 lbs | Archetype: Run Stopper

College Career Summary

Nick Barrett’s journey in Columbia is the definition of a "program player" who waited his turn and maximized his opportunity. A massive prospect out of North Carolina, Barrett spent his first three seasons (2021–2023) as a reliable rotational piece, flashing his potential with a memorable tip-drill interception against Notre Dame in the 2022 Gator Bowl. After redshirting in 2024 to refine his frame and technique, he emerged in 2025 as the immovable heart of the Gamecocks' defensive interior. A respected veteran, he was voted a Permanent Team Captain and Co-Team MVP by his peers. He finished 2025 as the team’s leading tackler among defensive linemen, proving he could handle the rigors of an every-down SEC workload.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 51

• Total Tackles: 72 (42 in 2025)

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 6.0 (All in 2025)

• Sacks: 2.0 (All in 2025)

• Interceptions: 1 (2022 Gator Bowl)

• Special Achievement: 17-yard Fumble Return TD (2025 vs. Texas A&M)

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
vs. Virginia Tech	3 Tkl, 1 QBH	B+	Set a physical tone; earned game captain honors.
vs. SC State	1 Tkl	B	Controlled the A-gap; played limited snaps in blowout.
vs. Vanderbilt	5 Tkl, 2.0 TFL, 1.0 Sk	A	Most Disruptive Game. Season-high in TFLs.
@ Missouri	6 Tkl	A-	Career High Tackles. Exceptional stamina for a nose.
vs. Kentucky	3 Tkl, 1.0 Sack	B+	Powerful bull-rush led to his second career sack.
@ LSU	2 Tkl, 1 PBU	B	Batted a critical pass; played with high IQ.
vs. Oklahoma	2 Tkl	C+	Out-leveraged at times by Oklahoma’s quick interior.
vs. Alabama	5 Tkl, 1.0 TFL	A-	Anchored effectively against a Top-10 run game.
@ Ole Miss	4 Tkl	B	Constant double-teams; held the middle for LBs.
@ Texas A&M	4 Tkl, 1 FR TD	A+	Highlight of the Year. 17-yard scoop-and-score TD.
vs. Coastal Carolina	1 Tkl	B-	Solid discipline; rotated out early in a lopsided win.
vs. Clemson	4 Tkl, 1 QBH	B+	Fought hard in a physical rivalry; high Competitor drive.

Scouting Report

Strengths

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• Elite Anchor Power: At 327 lbs, Barrett is incredibly difficult to displace. He consistently handles double teams without giving up ground, a necessity for a 3-4 nose.

• Veteran Intangibles: Voted a captain and MVP by teammates. His Leadership and Mental Toughness are blue-chip; he’s a culture-builder for any locker room.

• Surprising Range: For his size, he shows great Pursuit. He isn't just a space-eater; he will run to the boundary to finish plays.

• Technique Mastery: Recipient of the Strength & Conditioning and Nutrition awards at USC; he treats the game like a pro and has mastered the "dirty work" of gap integrity.

Weaknesses

• Pass Rush Upside: While he recorded two sacks in 2025, he is not a natural pocket collapser. His pass-rush plan is mostly limited to a heavy bull-rush.

• Leverage Consistency: When fatigued, his pad level tends to rise. Shorter, squatter NFL centers may be able to get under his chin and steer him.

• Twitch: Lacks the explosive "short-area burst" that elite interior penetrators possess. He is a "grinder," not a "slasher."

Scheme Fit: Ideal 0/1-Technique (Nose) in a 3-4 "Two-Gap" system.

NFL Comparison: D.J. Reader / Grover Stewart

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 19/20 | Physical Tools: 17/20 | Attributes: 16/20 | Athleticism: 14/20 | IQ: 17/20

Final Grade: 83/100

Nick Barrett is a high-floor, reliable interior defender who will be a "weight room warrior" in the NFL. While he doesn't possess the flashy sack numbers of a 1st-round pick, his value lies in his ability to make everyone around him better by absorbing blocks and maintaining discipline. His Senior Bowl invite confirms that NFL scouts view him as a draftable asset who can provide immediate depth to a defensive rotation.

Draft Projection: 5th - 6th Round