2021 NFL Draft: Christian Barmore bludgeons his way to top of IDL class

Christian Barmore was the best defensive player in the National Championship

Alabama’s dominant performance in their National Championship game rout of Ohio State was defined by Devonta Smith’s stunning first-half display, but a case can be made that the best player on the field on Monday was on the defensive side, with Christian Barmore going a long way to solidifying himself as the top interior defensive lineman in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Barmore has largely flown under the radar during the 2020 season, with so much focus naturally on a Crimson Tide offense that may eventually be considered the best in college football history.

But his performance in Miami capped a dominant stretch run from Barmore, who has the skillset and production worthy of being selected in the first round in April.

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He had the benefit of playing against an Ohio State offensive line that lost right guard Wyatt Davis to injury, yet that does not take away from how brutally dominant Barmore’s performance was. Now off to the 2021 NFL Draft, what does Barmore bring to the next level?

Jordan Reid of The Draft Network breaks down his game:

"“The Alabama interior defender possesses outstanding raw power combined with active, busy, and powerful hands that enable his frame to remain clean and disengage when desired. Even though he’s had limited reps, Barmore has proven to be excellent with executing swim/arm over moves that allow him to make plays behind the line or in his gap as a run defender… He has the versatility to play 1- or 3-technique in an even front, but he’s also spent a lot of his reps as a base 4i/4-technique in Alabama’s odd front.”"