2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Justin Barron, S/LB, Syracuse

Justin Barron is a rover in Syracuse's defense who's a solid leader with a multitude of talents. Hula Bowl scout Ian McNice breaks down Barron as an NFL Prospect in his report. — Justin Barron is a rover in Syracuse’s defense who’s a solid leader with a multitude of talents. Hula Bowl scout Ian McNice breaks down Barron as an NFL Prospect in his report.

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Justin Barron, #8
School (Code)	Syracuse University (NYSY)
DOB, Class Yr	10/25/2001, rJr
Height, Weight	6035, 231 lbs
40 Yd Dash	4.60e
Position/Depth	1st/ROVER
Honors/Captainship	Named team captain for 2023 season
Season Viewed (yr)	2022, 2023
Games Watched	INPU (22’), SCCL (23’), NCUN (23’), INPU (23’)
Scout Name / Date	Ian McNice, 10/16/2023

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2023	7 GP, 7 GS, 55 TKL, 5.0 TFL, 0.5 SK, 1 INT, 4 PD, 2 FF
2022	13 GP, 12 GS, 64 TKL, 5.0 TFL, 1.0 SK, 1 PD, 1 FR
2021	12 GP, 9 GS, 42 TKL, 0.5 TFL, 3 PD
2020	11 GP, primarily on kick/punt return

Player Summary:

Redshirt Junior from Rocky Hill, Connecticut. He has an impressive athletic background at Suffield Academy, he was a large contributor in 3 sports playing both ways in football and baseball, while also playing varsity basketball for 3 seasons. Originally signed with Syracuse as a WR before making the switch to DB for depth purposes late in 2020. Elite height, weight, and arm length at safety, marginal weight as a ILB. He plays with average AA, he has solid lateral quickness, COD, adequate foot speed, and average acceleration. Solid in zone coverage as hook/flat defender, he displays solid FBI by keeping his head on a swivel to key route concepts while checking in on the QB’s eyes. Communicates well with members of the secondary and passes off WR’s effectively as a seam-hook defender. Good in man coverage vs TEs, primarily utilizes a zone technique where he can use solid lateral quickness to stay in phase vs verticals and peek the QB’s eyes. Solid timing catch technique at WR/TE’s, good strike accuracy hinders the route runner’s acceleration and allows him to get to an acceptable position. He plays flat footed when asked to use this technique, if he does not make good contact he can be beaten with superior speed. Solid ball skills, he is efficient flipping his head around in man coverage and playing through the receivers hand to create PBU’s. Solid driving on underneath routes and using his length to get in the way of the throw. Marginal range, he lacks the acceleration to get on top of vertical routes down the sideline, even with a great read. Solid open field tackler, he takes good pursuit angles and often gets his head in front to make strong tackles, however he can improve his pad level to gain consistency. Marginal run defender, he can be manipulated with eye candy and due to his aggressive nature he vacates his gap often, opening up daylight for the ball carrier.

Scheme Fit:

SS/WLB in a single high system

Power Statement:

Barron has very impressive physical tools, he brings rare stature as a SS/ILB with height and length. He needs to improve reading his keys as a run defender and keeping gap integrity because he should be playing in the box more often.