A five-year South Carolina defensive lineman who saved his best football for a senior-year breakout, Nick Barrett landed with the Chargers as a fifth-round pick.
Nick Barrett spent most of his South Carolina career in a reserve role before finally cracking the starting lineup as a senior in 2025, and that late breakout was enough to convince the Chargers to use a fifth-round pick on him. The North Carolina native tested well at the combine and profiles as a rotational interior lineman as a rookie.
Path to the league
Barrett, out of Eastern Wayne High School in Goldsboro, North Carolina, joined South Carolina in 2021 under first-year head coach Shane Beamer. He played five seasons with the Gamecocks, appearing in 51 games, and was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fifth round, 145th overall, of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Career highlights
Barrett went without a start for his first three full seasons at South Carolina before finally breaking into the lineup as a senior in 2025. He finished his college career with 72 total tackles and was recognized as a Rex Enright permanent team captain and co-Steve Wadiak Team MVP Award winner.
2025 season recap
Barrett started all 12 games for South Carolina in 2025, recording 42 total tackles, six tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries and two sacks. That production, paired with strong combine testing including a 5.10-second 40-yard dash and an 8.17 three-cone drill, helped him land with the Chargers in the fifth round.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Nick Barrett (American football)
- Chargers.com: Nick Barrett player page
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Defensive Tackle
- Group
- defense
- College
- South Carolina
- Hometown
- Goldsboro, NC, USA
- Age
- 23
- Status
- active
