With rookie center Graham Barton being officially named the Bucs’ starter, it is a role that he is set to potentially fill for a long time. Still, Barton is viewing the announcement like a true veteran. Not with any guarantees, but as something he needs to earn every day, practice, and game.
He spoke after Wednesday’s joint practice with the Dolphins about his role and received some support from quarterback Baker Mayfield and defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, two players who have seen his development up close.
Graham Barton Is “Starting To Get A Feel For The Game,” Wants To Earn His Keep
Bucs C Graham Barton – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
A day after Bucs head coach Todd Bowles announced Graham Barton as the team’s starting center, it was no surprise to hear Barton react humbly. After hearing from him at several press conferences throughout the offseason, one can note why Tampa Bay was high on his skillset and decided to draft him with the 26th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Barton is a highly cerebral football player that the team believed could seamlessly transition inside after mainly playing as a college tackle at Duke. That is something that general manager Jason Licht has done with plenty of offensive lineman selections throughout his tenure, and the 22-year-old is following that trend and knows he has to prove his worth.
“Coming in in April and going through OTAs, [and] going through camp, it’s been a lot,” Barton said on the move to center. “I’ve had a lot on my plate, mentally and physically, but I think I’m starting to adjust and starting to get a feel for the game and how everything’s operating here. It’s a work in progress and always will be.
“I know they said it officially, but I think it’s a role I still [have] to earn every day. I still think it’s something that I’m coming in here to prove that I can do. I know they had to name someone, but I still think it’s just [continuing] to earn it and continue to earn my keep and continue to improve because I’m still young, and I’ve got a long way to go.”
Barton put together quite the college resume, and not just because he majored in public policy and lettered all four seasons. He started in 39 games, specifically excelling as a run blocker. The Blue Devils ran for 2,174 yards and 26 touchdowns last year, largely doing so on the left side behind their star 6-5, 314-pound offensive lineman.
While that may continue to be Barton’s calling card in the NFL, he knows he needs to sharpen up his pass-blocking skills.
“I think run blocking is how I made a name for myself in college, and I think that it’ll be something that will continue to be my strong suit,” Barton added. “The biggest difference from [moving from] tackle back [to] center is pass blocking. I think it’s something I’ve got to continue to work on and something that I’ve just got to continue to get better at.
“[Having] good hands and feet and just things like that, good angles, when to use certain sets against different guys, how to read defensive linemen, things like that. That’s going to take some time, but I think I’ve gotten better through camp and definitely will continue to do that through the season.”
Baker Mayfield: Graham Barton Is “Extremely Explosive”
Baker Mayfield remains unsatisfied heading into this season, but he has to be satisfied that the Bucs added Graham Barton to shore up the offensive line.
The veteran quarterback has seen just how fast his new center has taken to his role.
“I mean center is one of the hardest positions to play in sports and for a rookie to be able to come in – and yeah, he’s still learning – but for him to be able to come in and communicate well and to learn as quickly as he has, I think has been the impressive thing, especially since he hadn’t played center in quite a few years.”
Mayfield has gotten in plenty of work with Barton throughout the offseason, and now that he is the starter, the volume of reps for the rookie will only increase. He sees him improving with each snap.
“So, for him to make that switch and communicate the way he has been able to just operationally, I think it has been extremely impressive,” Mayfield added. “Then obviously he’s a first-round talent for a reason [with] the physical traits you see – he’s extremely explosive, he’s able to move the line of scrimmage. He’s going to continue to improve with each rep and that’s what we’re excited about.”
Calijah Kancey Thinks Graham Barton Is “Doing A Great Job”
Defensive tackle Calijah Kancey is back and better than ever heading into his second season. He felt “great” being out on the practice field for the majority of training camp competing every day. Kancey spent plenty of time lining up opposite Graham Barton throughout the offseason and he already sees him doing his thing and being “great” himself.
“Graham definitely did a great job of coming in as a rookie and just really learning the playbook, doing his thing,” Kancey said. “He’s got the physical aspect of it, and [he is] putting the mental aspect of learning the plays and the snap counts and calling out the defenses and stuff like that. I think he’s doing a great job. He’s a great competitor and a great teammate.”
What impresses Kancey most about Barton?
“The athleticism from Graham…He can move laterally,” Kancey said. “As a defensive lineman, if an O-lineman can move, that’s a challenge for us. It makes us work harder.”
Graham Barton has worked hard for the opportunity to be the Bucs’ starting center, and do not expect him to slow down or take it for granted. Barton is taking this chance and the learning curve that comes with it head-on.
