Nick Barnett
No headshot available
Career Summary
Nick Barnett played 11 NFL seasons as a linebacker, appearing in 153 regular-season games for Green Bay, Buffalo, and Washington.
Barnett entered the NFL as Green Bay's first-round selection in 2003 and played eight seasons with the Packers before later stops with the Bills and Washington. NFL career statistics list 889 total tackles, 20.5 sacks, 12 interceptions, and six forced fumbles across 153 games.
Section reviewed
Early Life
Barnett was born in Fontana, California.
Oregon State's player information identified Barnett as a native of Fontana, California.
Section reviewed
Sources for this section
High School
Barnett attended A. B. Miller High School in Fontana, California.
His Pro Football Reference player record lists A. B. Miller High School in Fontana as his high school.
Section reviewed
Sources for this section
College Career
Barnett developed into an All-Pac-10 linebacker at Oregon State, leading the conference in tackles as a senior.
Barnett was limited as an Oregon State freshman in 1999, started five games as a sophomore, and posted 73 tackles, six tackles for loss, and four pass breakups as a junior. In 2002, he recorded 121 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and six sacks, led the Pac-10 in tackles, and earned first-team All-Pac-10 recognition.
Section reviewed
Path to the NFL
Green Bay selected Barnett 29th overall in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft.
The Packers selected Barnett with the 29th overall pick in 2003, making him the first linebacker chosen in that draft. The club cited his Oregon State senior season, when he led the Pac-10 with 121 tackles, as part of his background on arrival.
Section reviewed
Sources for this section
NFL Career
Barnett was a long-time Packers starter before finishing his career with Buffalo and Washington.
Barnett played for Green Bay from 2003 through 2010, Buffalo in 2011 and 2012, and Washington in 2013. His NFL totals include 889 tackles, 20.5 sacks, 43 passes defensed, 12 interceptions, two interception returns for touchdowns, and six forced fumbles.
Section reviewed
Sources for this section
Career Accomplishments
Barnett produced several high-volume tackling seasons and made impact plays in coverage.
NFL statistics credit Barnett with 118 tackles in 2005 and 113 in 2007 for Green Bay. He recorded 111 tackles, three interceptions, and an interception-return touchdown for Buffalo in 2011.
Section reviewed
Sources for this section
Playing Style
Oregon State described Barnett as a strong, quick linebacker with athletic feet.
Oregon State's player material described Barnett as a strong linebacker with great feet and athletic quickness. His college production included tackles for loss and sacks, while his NFL record also shows contributions as a tackler, pass defender, and interceptor.
Section reviewed
Legacy
Barnett's Oregon State finish led directly to first-round NFL selection and a decade-plus professional career.
After leading the Pac-10 in tackles and earning first-team all-conference honors as an Oregon State senior, Barnett became a first-round draft pick. He went on to play 153 NFL regular-season games across 11 seasons.
Section reviewed
20080, 00-0021990, 1981-05-27, Nick Barnett, Nick, Barnett
MFT PLAYER RANKINGS
Current player ranking
Compare current players by position using the transparent MFT statistical model.