Though he didn’t make it as a quarterback in the NFL, former Ohio State standout JT Barrett has a future on the sidelines.
The Detroit Lions announced the hiring of Barrett as an offensive assistant to the coaching staff on Saturday. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reports that Barrett will be working with the quarterbacks in Detroit.
Barrett’s hiring comes after the NFL issued a new ruling in March requiring teams to hire a minority coach as an offensive assistant. The new rule, emerging from the league’s new diversity advisory committee, is intended to improve the NFL’s diversity hiring practices.
Barrett was not drafted in 2018 despite a stellar college career. In four years as a starter at Ohio State, Barrett amassed 9,434 passing yards, 3,263 rushing yards and 147 total touchdowns (104 passing, 43 rushing) to break just about every major school and Big Ten conference QB record. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints and spent his rookie season in the practice squad. After his release the following offseason, Barrett spent time with the Seahawks, Steelers and again with the Saints, but never progressed beyond the practice squad.
Earlier this year, Barrett brought his talent to the Canadian Football League by signing with the Edmonton Elks, but an injury in late March ended his efforts before they really got started.
Barrett, 27, joins Dan Campbell’s staff in what will be an enlarged start to the 2022 Lions season. Detroit will be featured in the HBO documentary Hard Knocks for the duration of training camp, debuting on Tuesday, August 9th.