The Cleveland Browns selected Florida Gators offensive tackle Austin Barber with the No. 86 pick in the 2026 NFL draft on Friday night. A multiple-year starter in Gainesville, Barber gets his professional start after being selected in the third round.
Standing at 6-feet-6-inches and weighing 313 pounds, Barber turned himself into a fixture on the Florida front, making 30 career starts at tackle. Routinely protecting Gators quarterbacks from the blindside rush of SEC defenders earned him the prospect grade worthy of early-round consideration.
Barber's size and length give him an advantage in confronting and engaging defenders early in the play. His awareness and ability to execute in run and pass protection vaulted the Jacksonville, Florida natives stock. In fact, Barbers' play earned him an All-SEC Third-Team designation in 2025.
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 30: Austin Barber #58 of the Florida Gators celebrates after a game against the Florida State Seminoles of a game at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)Oct 28, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) celebrates after a first half touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY SportsGAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - APRIL 12: Austin Barber #58 of the Florida Gators looks on during the Florida Orange & Blue Spring Game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on April 12, 2025 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images for ONIT)Oct 4, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) walks on the field during Gator Walk before a game against the Texas Longhorns at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn ImagesNov 16, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) cheers with Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) after a game against the LSU Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn ImagesOct 18, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators kicker Trey Smack (29) reacts with Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) after making a 54-yard field goal against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn ImagesApr 12, 2025; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators offensive lineman Kamryn Waites (75) and Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) wait for the snap during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn ImagesNov 15, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Florida Gators offensive linemen Jake Slaughter (66), Knijeah Harris (77) and Austin Barber (58) block during the second quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn ImagesGAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - APRIL 12: Austin Barber #58 of the Florida Gators looks on during the Florida Orange & Blue Spring Game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on April 12, 2025 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images for ONIT)GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 05: Elijhah Badger #6 of the Florida Gators celebrates with Jake Slaughter #66 and Austin Barber #58 after scoring in the first half of a game against the UCF Knights at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on October 05, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) gestures after a touchdown during the second half against the Georgia Bulldogs at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, FL on Saturday, October 29, 2022. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun] Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs Georgia BulldogsFlorida Gators wide receiver Aidan Mizell (11) is lifted in the air by Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) after his touchdown pass to make it 24-7 over Samford at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, September 7, 2024 against the Samford Bulldogs. The Florida Gators won 45-7 over the Bulldogs. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) hoists Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) into the air after his touchdown during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 19, 2024 against the Kentucky Wildcats. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) celebrates after a touchdown during the first half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 12, 2022. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun] Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs South Carolina GamecocksFlorida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) sings with Florida Gators offensive lineman Fletcher Westphal (68) and Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, September 7, 2024 after defeating the Samford Bulldogs 45-7. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) pulls in Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) as the Gators celebrated at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 16, 2024. The Gators defeated the Tigers 27-16. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) walks during Gator Walk at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL on Saturday, October 28, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) gets a breather between blocking drills Thursday. The University of Florida Gators held a Spring football practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, March 9, 2023. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]1 / 18PHOTOS: Highlights from OT Austin Barber's career at FloridaTALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 30: Austin Barber #58 of the Florida Gators celebrates after a game against the Florida State Seminoles of a game at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)1 / 18PHOTOS: Highlights from OT Austin Barber's career at FloridaTALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 30: Austin Barber #58 of the Florida Gators celebrates after a game against the Florida State Seminoles of a game at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)2 / 18PHOTOS: Highlights from OT Austin Barber's career at FloridaOct 28, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) celebrates after a first half touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports3 / 18PHOTOS: Highlights from OT Austin Barber's career at FloridaGAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - APRIL 12: Austin Barber #58 of the Florida Gators looks on during the Florida Orange & Blue Spring Game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on April 12, 2025 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images for ONIT)4 / 18PHOTOS: Highlights from OT Austin Barber's career at FloridaOct 4, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) walks on the field during Gator Walk before a game against the Texas Longhorns at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images5 / 18PHOTOS: Highlights from OT Austin Barber's career at FloridaNov 16, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) cheers with Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) after a game against the LSU Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images6 / 18PHOTOS: Highlights from OT Austin Barber's career at FloridaOct 18, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators kicker Trey Smack (29) reacts with Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) after making a 54-yard field goal against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images7 / 18PHOTOS: Highlights from OT Austin Barber's career at FloridaApr 12, 2025; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators offensive lineman Kamryn Waites (75) and Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) wait for the snap during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images8 / 18PHOTOS: Highlights from OT Austin Barber's career at FloridaNov 15, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Florida Gators offensive linemen Jake Slaughter (66), Knijeah Harris (77) and Austin Barber (58) block during the second quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images9 / 18PHOTOS: Highlights from OT Austin Barber's career at FloridaGAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - APRIL 12: Austin Barber #58 of the Florida Gators looks on during the Florida Orange & Blue Spring Game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on April 12, 2025 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images for ONIT)10 / 18PHOTOS: Highlights from OT Austin Barber's career at FloridaGAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 05: Elijhah Badger #6 of the Florida Gators celebrates with Jake Slaughter #66 and Austin Barber #58 after scoring in the first half of a game against the UCF Knights at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on October 05, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)11 / 18PHOTOS: Highlights from OT Austin Barber's career at FloridaFlorida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) gestures after a touchdown during the second half against the Georgia Bulldogs at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, FL on Saturday, October 29, 2022. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun] Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs Georgia Bulldogs12 / 18PHOTOS: Highlights from OT Austin Barber's career at FloridaFlorida Gators wide receiver Aidan Mizell (11) is lifted in the air by Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) after his touchdown pass to make it 24-7 over Samford at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, September 7, 2024 against the Samford Bulldogs. The Florida Gators won 45-7 over the Bulldogs. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]13 / 18PHOTOS: Highlights from OT Austin Barber's career at FloridaFlorida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) hoists Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) into the air after his touchdown during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 19, 2024 against the Kentucky Wildcats. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]14 / 18PHOTOS: Highlights from OT Austin Barber's career at FloridaFlorida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) celebrates after a touchdown during the first half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 12, 2022. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun] Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs South Carolina Gamecocks15 / 18PHOTOS: Highlights from OT Austin Barber's career at FloridaFlorida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) sings with Florida Gators offensive lineman Fletcher Westphal (68) and Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, September 7, 2024 after defeating the Samford Bulldogs 45-7. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]16 / 18PHOTOS: Highlights from OT Austin Barber's career at FloridaFlorida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) pulls in Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) as the Gators celebrated at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 16, 2024. The Gators defeated the Tigers 27-16. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]17 / 18PHOTOS: Highlights from OT Austin Barber's career at FloridaFlorida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) walks during Gator Walk at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL on Saturday, October 28, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]18 / 18PHOTOS: Highlights from OT Austin Barber's career at FloridaFlorida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) gets a breather between blocking drills Thursday. The University of Florida Gators held a Spring football practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, March 9, 2023. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]For the Browns, Barber projects as a developmental lineman, but brings the experience and reliability that will position him to compete for significant minutes. His selection continues Florida's representation in the trenches at the highest level.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida OT Austin Barber taken by Cleveland in 3rd round of NFL Draft