AB #66

Anquin Barnes Jr.

Defensive Tackle · Colorado

A former Alabama four-star who found his footing at Colorado under Deion Sanders, Anquin Barnes Jr. signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent after a standout pro day.

Anquin Barnes Jr. spent three seasons at Alabama without much playing time before transferring to Colorado, where he bulked up to 340 pounds and became a disruptive interior presence under Deion Sanders. The Giants signed the Montgomery, Alabama native as an undrafted free agent after the 2026 NFL Draft, intrigued by pro-day testing that outperformed his college production.

★ First Colorado defensive tackle interception since 2008, recorded in the Alamo Bowl

★ Team-high 27 bench press reps at his pro day

★ 5.01-second 40-yard dash at 340 pounds

Path to the league

Barnes was a four-star recruit, the No. 16 prospect in Alabama and the No. 44 defensive tackle nationally in the 2021 class, and he signed with his home-state Crimson Tide. He redshirted his first year and did not record a stat over his first three seasons in Tuscaloosa before transferring to Colorado for more playing time. He went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft and signed with the Giants.

Career highlights

At Colorado, Barnes recorded 35 total tackles, including 20 solo, a pass breakup and an interception over two seasons. That interception came in the Alamo Bowl against BYU and was the first by a Colorado defensive tackle since Curtis Cunningham in 2008. At 6-foot-5 and roughly 340 pounds, he posted a team-high 27 reps on the bench press and a 5.01-second 40-yard dash at his pro day, both notable marks for a player his size.

2025 season recap

In his final college season at Colorado in 2025, Barnes continued to anchor the interior of the Buffaloes' defensive line, contributing to the team's tackle and pass-rush production before declaring for the draft. He went undrafted in April 2026 and signed with the New York Giants as one of Colorado's five players to sign UDFA contracts that year.