Simeon Barrow Jr. is the kind of player who doesn’t just plug holes—he disrupts entire game plans. Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, Barrow brings with him not only a reputation as one of the most ferocious defensive linemen in college football but also the relentless motor and adaptability that scouts crave at the professional level. His journey from Michigan State to the University of Miami wasn’t just a geographic move—it was a transformation. And now, with his college eligibility behind him and his draft stock rising, Barrow is ready for the next chapter.
Born in Georgia, Barrow always carried a chip on his shoulder. He wasn’t the most heralded recruit coming out of high school, but what he lacked in stars and headlines, he made up for in work ethic. When he first arrived at Michigan State, he wasn’t handed anything. He earned his snaps through sweat, consistency, and a firm grasp of the fundamentals. By the time he left East Lansing, he had become one of the most respected players in the Spartans’ locker room. Over the course of his tenure there, Barrow logged more than 100 tackles, nearly 20 tackles for loss, and over 10 sacks, numbers that hinted at his disruptive potential.
But even strong starts can use new settings. With a COVID-affected freshman year and a few injuries sprinkled throughout his time in the Big Ten, Barrow felt it was time for a change. When he entered the transfer portal after the 2023 season, Miami pounced. The Hurricanes were in the middle of reshaping their defense and saw Barrow as a central piece of that puzzle. It didn’t take long for the move to pay off.
In Coral Gables, Barrow found a new gear. Surrounded by a fresh coaching staff and a team hungry to reestablish itself as a defensive powerhouse, he elevated his play. In the 2024 season, Barrow posted 30 tackles, 8 for loss, and 5.5 sacks while serving as both an emotional leader and a tone-setter on the field. What separated him from many of his peers was not just the stats but the way he influenced the game from the interior. When Barrow was in the lineup, opposing offensive lines had to adjust. Double teams became the norm. Quarterbacks rushed throws. Running backs were forced to bounce outside. His presence alone altered what teams wanted to do offensively.
Coaches raved about his discipline, his film study habits, and the way he approached the game like a professional. At practice, he was relentless. During games, he was dependable. It’s no coincidence that Miami’s defense climbed national rankings during his lone year with the team. The Hurricanes went on a midseason tear, shutting down high-octane offenses and putting the ACC on notice. Barrow’s name started showing up in mock drafts and on the lips of analysts. By season’s end, he was an easy selection for First-Team All-ACC—an honor that cemented his reputation as one of the most feared linemen in the conference.
But what makes Barrow such an intriguing NFL prospect goes beyond the box score. His game is built on leverage, intelligence, and violence in the trenches. At 6-foot-3 and around 290 pounds, he fits the modern mold of a defensive tackle who can flex across multiple alignments. He has the quickness to shoot gaps on passing downs and the lower-body strength to anchor against double teams in the run game. He’s not just a one-trick pony. He’s the kind of interior defender that a creative defensive coordinator can move around to generate mismatches.
Barrow’s tape tells the story of a technician. He doesn’t just rely on athleticism; he wins with his hands, his pad level, and his understanding of timing. Whether it’s his well-timed swim move, his club-rip combination, or his ability to split double teams with a burst of explosiveness, Barrow’s arsenal is deep and evolving. He has a knack for making the kind of plays that don’t always show up on the stat sheet—forcing early throws, collapsing pockets, muddying running lanes.
From a personality standpoint, Barrow is all business. He doesn’t crave the spotlight, and he’s not the type to deliver viral soundbites, but ask anyone who’s played alongside him, and you’ll hear the same thing: he’s a leader. Quiet when he needs to be, vocal when it counts. He leads by example, showing younger players what it means to prepare like a pro. That mindset has drawn positive reviews from scouts, many of whom believe he’ll transition smoothly to the NFL lifestyle.
Still, like any prospect, Barrow has areas to refine. While his pass-rushing toolbox is respectable, he occasionally struggles to finish plays when quarterbacks escape the pocket. His lateral quickness is good, not elite, and he’ll need to prove he can consistently handle the strength and speed of NFL-caliber offensive linemen. Some scouts have noted that while he’s explosive off the snap, he can sometimes be overaggressive, taking himself out of position on zone run schemes. But these are teachable aspects, and no one questions his willingness to improve.
Barrow has already impressed in offseason workouts and interviews. Teams love his maturity and his no-nonsense approach to football. He’s projected to go anywhere between the fourth and sixth round, depending on team needs and how he tests leading up to the draft. For a player like Barrow, though, draft position isn’t everything. He knows how to work his way into a rotation and prove his value from Day 1. Coaches want guys who make life easier for linebackers, who eat up space, and who don’t need constant motivation to play hard. That’s Simeon Barrow Jr. in a nutshell.
One team that could be a perfect fit is the Pittsburgh Steelers, who value high-IQ, high-effort defensive linemen. Another potential match might be the New England Patriots, who often find gems in the mid to late rounds and develop them into long-term starters. Regardless of where he lands, Barrow will be the kind of player who earns his way into snaps and sticks around because of what he brings to the locker room and the field.
The 2025 NFL Draft will be filled with headline names, first-round flash, and bold predictions. But beyond the cameras and red carpets, it’s the Simeon Barrow Jrs. of the class who often end up becoming cornerstones. He may not be the loudest, the fastest, or the most hyped, but he’s reliable, tough, and consistent. And in a league that demands durability and discipline, those traits are gold.
Barrow’s legacy at Miami might be short in duration but is long in impact. He gave the Hurricanes a physical edge, a boost of experience, and an example for younger defenders to follow. He didn’t just transfer for a change of scenery—he transferred to elevate his game, and that’s exactly what he did. Now, with the NFL calling, he’s ready to do it all over again.
Simeon Barrow Jr. is built for this next step. Built for the grind. Built for the battles in the trenches. Built to prove, yet again, that no matter where you start, it’s how you finish—and Barrow isn’t finished yet.
