2026 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Ilan Barbaras, LB, McGill University

• Name: Ilan Barbaras
• Position: Linebacker
• College: McGill University
• Height: 6’1
• Weight: 220
• Twitter: Ilanbarbaras
• Instagram: Ilanbbrs

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2026 NFL Draft?

I’m an athletic linebacker with great instincts and a strong ability to find the ball. I take pride in my tackling and always find myself around the ball. My game is built on speed, awareness, and physicality.

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

I’m a hard worker who’s always looking to improve. I thrive in adversity and love being challenged. I lead by example and do everything I can to help raise the standard for the entire team.

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?

I would donate to Sun Youth (Jeunesse au Soleil), a community organization that helps disadvantaged families and children get access to basic needs and services. A lot of things we take for granted like food, clothing, or support aren’t available to everyone. I believe in supporting causes that invest in future generations and uplift the community especially in a city like Montreal, which has welcomed me and given me so many opportunities.

Who was your role model?

My biggest role models are my parents. They’ve always worked incredibly hard and taught me how to face adversity head-on. They taught me that if you set big goals, you have to match them with equally big effort and commitment.

Who is your favorite NFL team?

My favorite team has always been the Baltimore Ravens. I grew up a huge fan of Ray Lewis, to me, he’s one of the most dominant players ever at my position and someone I’ve always looked up to.

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school?

I’d say Charles Barakett. He’s a wide receiver. I’ve played with since my first year at McGill. He’s one of the most intense, motivated teammates I’ve had. He’s faced a lot of adversity he’s played through injuries for an entire season without ever complaining. He’s incredibly passionate and never stopped pushing himself and others.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

My biggest pet peeve is disrespect. It really bothers me when people don’t show basic respect to those around them. Whether you like someone or not, everyone deserves to be treated with a baseline of decency. Respect is the foundation of any relationship or team culture.

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

My favorite teacher of all time is Mr. Diouf, my math teacher during my final year of high school. He supported us tremendously and always did everything he could to help every student, even those who struggled academically, to achieve the best results possible. In France, we have a national exam at the end of our final year, and he would voluntarily give up four hours of his Saturdays every week to help us prepare. He was truly kind and passionate about his work, he was a teacher who genuinely cared.

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?

In my final CEGEP season, I fractured my wrist and had to play through the pain all the games. When I got to university, I was still in a cast during the first few months and had to spend the whole offseason rehabbing. I had just the summer training camp to prove myself and earn playing time. That experience pushed me to my limits and helped shape who I am as a player.

If you could have any franchise restaurant in your house what would it be?

Easy, Boustan. It has everything I need, chicken and rice. I don’t think I’d ever get tired of it.

What is your favorite snack food?

Mango, either fresh or as sorbet. I could eat it all day.

What is your degree in?

Bachelor’s in Kinesiology.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?

It would be my parents and my grandmother. Being from France, I don’t get to see them often. Family means everything to me, and I believe we should cherish every moment we have with the people we love.

What is your biggest weakness?

At times, I tend to take on too much at once. I overload myself with responsibilities, which can make it difficult to prioritize effectively. I’m working on organizing my focus to stay efficient and balanced.