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Barton Selected by Tampa Bay Buccaneers in First Round
4/26/2024 12:23:00 AM | Football
DURHAM – Former Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton was selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Barton was the 26th overall pick in the draft, and the first Blue Devil selected in the opening round since quarterback Daniel Jones went sixth overall to the New York Giants in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Barton, a 6-5, 314-pound Brentwood, Tenn., product is the first Duke draft pick by the Buccaneers and just the eighth Duke player to be selected in the first round of the draft. Barton is also the first Blue Devil offensive lineman to be chosen in the NFL Draft since Laken Tomlinson went 28th overall to the Detroit Lions in 2015.
A two-time All-America selection and first team All-ACC honoree, Barton helped Duke to 22 wins and two bowl game victories (2022 Military and 2023 Birmingham) during his career. He played in 40 career games with 39 starts at both tackle and center and was on the field for 2,665 career snaps. He started 34 consecutive contests to begin his Blue Devil tenure and was a two-time recipient of the program's Offensive Lineman of the Year Award.
Last fall, Barton started nine games for the Blue Devils at left tackle, helping the offense accumulate 2,174 rushing and 2,351 passing yards. He tallied a team-high five knockdown blocks against No. 9 Clemson and four against No. 4 Florida State. In addition, he did not relinquish a sack allowed against the Tigers and Seminoles and only allowed 11 total quarterback pressures on the season.
Barton played a key role in Duke only losing 171 rushing yards on the year, the fewest in the ACC. He also anchored an offensive line that ranked third in the ACC and tied for 24th nationally in sacks allowed per game (1.31) and second in the league and tied for 31st nationally in TFL allowed per outing (4.77).
Barton joins former Blue Devil quarterback Thaddeus Lewis, linebacker George Edwards, and long snapper Evan Deckers in Tampa Bay. Lewis enters his third season as the Buccaneers' quarterbacks coach, Edwards is in his second year as the outside linebackers coach and Deckers is in his second season with the organization as a specialist.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils football, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeFootball".
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu.
#GoDuke
Barton was the 26th overall pick in the draft, and the first Blue Devil selected in the opening round since quarterback Daniel Jones went sixth overall to the New York Giants in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Barton, a 6-5, 314-pound Brentwood, Tenn., product is the first Duke draft pick by the Buccaneers and just the eighth Duke player to be selected in the first round of the draft. Barton is also the first Blue Devil offensive lineman to be chosen in the NFL Draft since Laken Tomlinson went 28th overall to the Detroit Lions in 2015.
Welcome to the Buccaneer fam, @grahambarton53 ??#WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/tnmRdv2NOX
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) April 26, 2024
A two-time All-America selection and first team All-ACC honoree, Barton helped Duke to 22 wins and two bowl game victories (2022 Military and 2023 Birmingham) during his career. He played in 40 career games with 39 starts at both tackle and center and was on the field for 2,665 career snaps. He started 34 consecutive contests to begin his Blue Devil tenure and was a two-time recipient of the program's Offensive Lineman of the Year Award.
With the 26th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft… @grahambarton53 ??#NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/F2J4FQYkNq
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) April 26, 2024
Last fall, Barton started nine games for the Blue Devils at left tackle, helping the offense accumulate 2,174 rushing and 2,351 passing yards. He tallied a team-high five knockdown blocks against No. 9 Clemson and four against No. 4 Florida State. In addition, he did not relinquish a sack allowed against the Tigers and Seminoles and only allowed 11 total quarterback pressures on the season.
Barton played a key role in Duke only losing 171 rushing yards on the year, the fewest in the ACC. He also anchored an offensive line that ranked third in the ACC and tied for 24th nationally in sacks allowed per game (1.31) and second in the league and tied for 31st nationally in TFL allowed per outing (4.77).
Barton joins former Blue Devil quarterback Thaddeus Lewis, linebacker George Edwards, and long snapper Evan Deckers in Tampa Bay. Lewis enters his third season as the Buccaneers' quarterbacks coach, Edwards is in his second year as the outside linebackers coach and Deckers is in his second season with the organization as a specialist.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils football, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeFootball".
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu.
#GoDuke
Hearing this will never get old ?? @grahambarton53 #NFLDraft?? on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/xxTcfRZneI
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) April 26, 2024
With the No. 26 overall pick in the 2024 @NFLDraft, the @Buccaneers select Graham Barton! @NewEraCap
— NFL (@NFL) April 26, 2024
??: #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
??: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/aS1NvBO6wK
Just a couple of first round offensive linemen from Duke ??@grahambarton53 x @laken77 pic.twitter.com/KH4ZOLJcJd
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) April 26, 2024
The moment ?? @grahambarton53 x @Buccaneers pic.twitter.com/Fh0NzYiL6e
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) April 26, 2024
Graham Barton is a Buc! pic.twitter.com/NnVvUTSxAU
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) April 26, 2024
Got our guy ???? pic.twitter.com/KPVHPuUUDx
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) April 26, 2024
Krewe, meet @grahambarton53 ??#WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/2Pl5nL7a8F
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) April 26, 2024
Graham "The Duke" Barton can play Center or swing outside to tackle. That's range you rarely see in the NFL. His secret sauce isn't his high motor or technique. It's that everything he does starts with PHYSICALITY. The Baker is making more dough so he needs more protection. pic.twitter.com/AbGFGgEOMj
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 26, 2024
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