| Alabama Crimson Tide — No. 4 | |
| Safety | Senior |
| Major: Consumer affairs | |
| Date of birth: October 27, 1989 | |
| Place of birth: Mobile, Alabama | |
| Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | Weight: 215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb) |
| Career history | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Stats at ESPN.com | |
Mark Barron (born October 27, 1989 in Mobile, Alabama) is an American football safety with the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. Barron stands 6'2" and weighs approximately 215 pounds. He has been clocked running 40 yards in 4.5 seconds.[1]
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Barron played multiple positions including running back, wide receiver, and linebacker at St. Paul's Episcopal School from 2004-2007. As a senior, Barron was the MVP of the 2007 Class 5A state championship game after rushing for 1,094 yards on 122 carries with 15 touchdowns in his senior season. He was also named first-team Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State selection in Class 5A as a senior. As a junior, Barron had 785 yards rushing as a junior on 78 carries and added 368 receiving yards on 23 catches, scoring a total of 12 touchdowns. He was ranked as a five star prospect and the number one weakside linebacker in the 2008 class by scout.com. He was also ranked as the 5th best player in the state of Alabama and the 55th best player in the nation in the class of 2008 by rivals.com.[1] Barron chose to play at Alabama over offers from Auburn, LSU, Florida, Florida State and Tennessee among others. In addition to playing football, he also competed in track and field, where he won multiple 5A individual state titles in events ranging from the shot put to the long jump during the 2008 season.
A true freshman for the 2008 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Barron made his first appearance on kick-off coverage against Clemson. He had his first career tackle early in the game on a crushing blow of Jacoby Ford on a kickoff return.[2] Barron played in all of Alabama's 14 games, recording 18 tackles and a sack.
As a sophomore for the 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football team Barron took over as a starter at safety and was second on Alabama's National Championship team with 74 tackles and an SEC leading seven interceptions and a touchdown. He also had a career high two interceptions against Mississippi State.[3][4] Barron finished the regular season tied for third in the nation with 7 interceptions and tied for sixth in the nation with 17 passes defended.[5] Barron was recognized for his outstanding season by being named 1st team All-SEC and 3rd team All-American at safety.[6]
Barron was named to the 2010 Jim Thorpe Award preseason watch list. The Thorpe Award is presented annually to the top defensive back in college football.[7] He is the Crimson Tide's only returning starter in the defensive secondary for the 2010 season. Barron Finished the season with 77 tackles and three interceptions. He was named an FWAA All American for his stellar season.[8]
Barron is already widely considered a strong NFL prospect. NFLDraftScout.com, a website that rates current college players based on their NFL potential, rates Barron as the second best safety in his class. The website also projects him going in the late first round of the 2012 NFL draft.[9]
Two days before spring practice was to begin at Alabama, Barron was arrested in Mobile, Alabama for second-degree hindering prosecution, a misdemeanor in the state of Alabama.[10]
| Year | GP–GS | Tackles | Sacks | Pass Defense | Fumbles | Blocked | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | Ast | Total | Loss–Yards | No–Yards | Int–Yards | BU | PD | QBH | Yards | FF | Kick | ||
| 2008 | 14–0 | 15 | 1.5–11 | 1.5–11 | 0–0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2009 | 14–14 | 74 | 2.5–17 | .5–2 | 7–125 | 0 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2010 | 12–12 | 77 | 2-15 | 2-15 | 3-6 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Total | 166 | 6–43 | 4–28 | 10–129 | 4 | 15 | 4 | 0–0 | 2 | 0 | |||
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