Mark Barron

Mark Barron (born October 27, 1989) is an American football safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Alabama, was twice recognized as an All-American, and was a member of two BCS National Championship teams. He was drafted by the Buccaneers in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft with the 7th overall pick.

Early years
Barron was born in Mobile, Alabama. He attended St. Paul's Episcopal School in Mobile, where he played for the Episcopal Saints high school football team, under the coaching of Eddie Guth. He played multiple positions, including running back, wide receiver, and linebacker from 2004 through 2007. As a junior, Barron had 785 yards rushing as a junior on 78 carries and added 368 receiving yards on 23 catches, scoring a total of 12 touchdowns. As a senior, Barron was the MVP of the 2007 Class 5A state championship game after rushing for 1,094 yards on 122 carries with 15 touchdowns in his senior season. He was also named first-team Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State selection in Class 5A as a senior.

He was ranked as a five-star prospect and the number one weakside linebacker in the 2008 class by scout.com. He was also ranked as the 5th best player in the state of Alabama and the 55th best player in the nation in the class of 2008 by rivals.com. Barron chose to play at Alabama over offers from Auburn, LSU, Florida, Florida State and Tennessee among others. In addition to playing football, he also competed in track and field, where he won multiple 5A individual state titles in events ranging from the shot put to the long jump during the 2008 season.

College career
Barron accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Alabama, where he played for coach Nick Saban's Alabama Crimson Tide football team from 2008 to 2011. As a true freshman for the 2008 Crimson Tide, he made his first appearance on kick-off coverage against Clemson. He had his first career tackle early in the game on a crushing blow of Jacoby Ford on a kickoff return. Barron played in all of Alabama's 14 games, recording 18 tackles and a sack.

During his sophomore season in 2009, Barron took over as a starter at safety and was second on Alabama's national championship team with 74 tackles and an Southeastern Conference-leading seven interceptions and a touchdown. He also had a career high two interceptions against Mississippi State. Barron finished the regular season tied for third in the nation with 7 interceptions and tied for sixth in the nation with 17 passes defended. He was recognized as a first-team All-SEC selection and third-team All-American at safety.

Barron was the Crimson Tide's only returning starter in the defensive secondary for the 2010 season. He finished the season with 77 tackles and three interceptions, and was named an FWAA All-American. In 2011, he was again a first-team All-SEC selection and was recognized as a unanimous first-team All-American.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mark Barron was drafted with the 7th overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2012 NFL Draft. He is the highest selected Alabama defensive back in school history, surpassing Antonio Langham, who was chosen ninth overall in 1994.

"Boy, is this a solid pick. I love this kid because his floor and ceiling are the same thing. His ceiling is to be a Pro Bowl safety; his floor is to be a Pro Bowl safety. That's how good this young man is. This is going to be a good football team next year." -Mike Mayock, former NFL safety and current NFL Network analyst

On July 20, 2012, Barron agreed to a 5-year deal with the team causing no hold out prior to training camp. Barron is expected to be the strong safety starter this entire season alongside the longest tenured player on the team Ronde Barber as free safety. On week 3 of the preseason, Barron picked off Tom Brady for his first NFL touchdown in his career.