 Barksdale in 2020 | |||||||
| No. 72, 68, 60 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Offensive tackle | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | (1989-01-04)January 4, 1989 (age 36) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | ||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 325 lb (147 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Cass Technical (Detroit) | ||||||
| College: | LSU (2007–2010) | ||||||
| NFL draft: | 2011: 3rd round, 92nd pick | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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Joseph Brennen Barksdale (born January 4, 1989) is an American singer-songwriter,electric guitar player, and former professionalfootball player who was anoffensive tackle in theNational Football League (NFL). Born inDetroit, Michigan, he attendedLouisiana State University on a full-ride football scholarship. He was selected by theOakland Raiders in the third round of the2011 NFL draft. He playedcollege football for theLSU Tigers. He also played for theSt. Louis Rams,San Diego /Los Angeles Chargers, andArizona Cardinals.
Barksdale began playing guitar in 2013, at the suggestion of his then head coach,Jeff Fisher.[1] In January 2018, he released his first albumButterflies, Rainbows, & Moonbeams.Blues Rock Review called it “an upbeat world, where funk and blues mingle, and where songs pop into existence, not because they fit within a certain genre, but because they’ll make the listener (and one suspects, the performer) happy. It’s also a world where an NFL tackle manages to create one of the more delightful, sincere records of 2018.”[2]
In April 2019, Barksdale released an EP titledElectric Soul, produced byNarada Michael Walden.[3]
In June 2019, Barksdale retired from the NFL to pursue music full time.[4]
In February 2020 he released single "Black Majik", which was described by Ryan Baltz of American Songwriter as a "dark and funky helping of shot-in-the-veins blues".
Barksdale attendedCass Technical High School inDetroit,Michigan, where he was a two-way lineman for coachThomas Wilcher. He recorded 73 tackles (17 for losses), 14 hurries, sevenquarterback sacks, one interception and three forced fumbles as a senior, and received High School All-American honors byParade andUSA Today.[5] He also participated in theU.S. Army All-American Bowl as a member of the East team.
Considered a four-star recruit byRivals.com, Barksdale was listed as the No. 6 defensive tackle prospect in the nation.[6] He chose LSU overMichigan State,Notre Dame andOhio State, becoming the first state of Michigan signee in LSU history.
Barksdale graduated early from high school and enrolled at LSU in January 2007. Although recruited as a defensive tackle, he was switched to the offensive side of the ball during fall camp. As atrue freshman in 2007 he played 14 games as a backup to Carnell Stewart at right tackle.
Following Stewart's graduation, Barksdale took over as right tackle and started all 13 games for the Tigers. He helped anchor an offensive line that paved the way for an LSU rushing attack that ranked No. 4 in the SEC with 166.7 yards per game. Barksdale and left tackleCiron Black were regarded as "the best duo of tackles in SEC."[7]
Barksdale was selected with the 92nd pick in the2011 NFL draft by theOakland Raiders.[8] He was released on September 26, 2012.
TheSt. Louis Rams signed Barksdale on September 27, 2012. On October 21, 2012, Barksdale made his first NFL start atleft tackle against theGreen Bay Packers.[9]
Barksdale signed a one-year contract with theSan Diego Chargers on May 19, 2015. The deal worth the base minimum, with a $350,000 signing bonus, and up to $1,000,000 in incentives.[10] In his first season as a Charger, he started all 16 games.
On March 7, 2016, Barksdale agreed to a four-year $22,000,000 contract extension and a signing bonus worth up to $4,000,000 with the Chargers.[11]
In 2017, Barksdale started 11 games at right tackle, missing five games due to a foot injury.
Barksdale entered the 2018 season slated as the starting right tackle, however suffered a knee injury in Week 1 and missed the next five games. He returned in Week 7, but he was replaced in the starting lineup bySam Tevi. He played in the next five games but remained out of the starting lineup. He was inactive in Week 13 before ultimately being released on December 3, 2018.[12]
On December 5, 2018, Barksdale was signed by theArizona Cardinals afterD. J. Humphries was placed on injured reserve.[13]
Joseph married Brionna in March 2015.[14] Barksdale is also a member ofOmega Psi Phi fraternity. In 2018, Barksdale opened up regarding his struggles with depression.[15] In 2022, he revealed an autism diagnosis.[16]
