Washington Commanders UDFA Spotlight: Defensive tackle Ricky Barber from UCF

A Mason-Brennan dark horse candidate?

Ricky Barber is a 6’3”, 293-pound defensive tackle from UCF and one of Adam Peters’ first signings following the 2025 NFL Draft.

He began his six-year college career as a three-star recruit and chose to play for Western Kentucky University over Cincinnati, Indiana, and Purdue. Barber shined in four starts before redshirting the remainder of his freshman year. He had a breakout season in 2020 with 51 tackles, 4.0 sacks, 27 hurries, and a forced fumble. The newly named Freshman All-American entered the transfer portal at the end of the season. Despite hearing from several top programs including Penn State and Tennessee, he decided to follow his defensive line coach, Kenny Martin, to the University of Central Florida. In an interview with Knights247 in 2021, Ricky discussed his relationship with Martin and his decision to transfer to UCF:

“My relationship with Coach Martin played a big role,” Barber explained. “I trusted him at Western (Kentucky) and I trust him now… The fan base stands out to me a lot.”

Barber shared what he likes about Martin and why his position coach is different from others in college football.

“He’s a perfectionist and he pushes his players to do things at a high level,” Barber said about Martin, who also played the defensive tackle position in college before becoming a coach.

Barber, Martin, and Gus Malzahn would have a strong inaugural season including a 9-4 record and win over the Florida Gators in the Gasparilla Bowl. The Knights joined the Big 12 in 2023, and Barber was introduced to a whole new level of competition. His full college statistics are listed below:

You will notice a drop in production in 2023, which readers may mistakenly believe coincides with the transition to the Big 12. In fact, he struggled with an undisclosed injury for a good portion of the season. He discussed the injury and his rehab in a press conference before his return:

So, what type of player are the Commanders getting in Ricky Barber? Surprisingly, not an overwhelming athletic one:

The 4.85 RAS is low in comparison to some of Washington’s other rookies, but I would like to point out a couple of items. One, Ricky’s height seems to be somewhat in dispute. He is listed as 6’1 above and by Draft Scout, but both the UCF and Washington rosters list him as 6’3”. In addition, there are no numbers for bench press, an area one would think Barber would test well. Improved numbers in both categories would change his rating to “Good” in the composite size category and improve his overall score. There are no comprehensive draft profiles on the defensive tackle, but a 2022 player profile by UCF Knights on SI summarized his game:

Run Defense

Barber’s natural strength makes him hard to move with one blocker, as USF players undoubtedly know. Additionally, with UCF having other talented defenders up front like Keenan Hester, Lee Hunter and Anthony Montalvo, even if other teams decide to double team Barber, he’s helping his teammates to be in one-on-one situations to where they can make plays.

Helping to Pressure the Quarterback

Barber is also quick enough to beat his opponent with his first-step quickness and/or power. He has a chance to change games this fall during obvious passing situations. Overall, estimating Barber’s over/under sack total projection should be placed at a minimum of six.

Let’s look at some of his highlights:

Ricky Barber also dominated the Hula Bowl recording 2 tackles, 3 pressures, and a sack resulting from an impressive spin move:

You can see the first step quickness in his highlights and that should be his meal ticket at the next level. Paired with NFL size and strength developed in the team’s strength & conditioning program, he could be a disruptor on the interior. Overall, the UCF defense had a rough season in 2024, but with Barber’s help they finished in the Top 3 versus the run. While he’s demonstrated some rushing potential, his pass rush win rate was a modest 6.6% last season, which ranked in the middle of 2025 defensive linemen draft class.

What’s his path to the final 53? Despite the defensive line arguably being the weakest position on the Commanders roster, it will be an uphill battle in a crowded room.

Jon Allen was replaced by Javon Kinlaw, a roster lock alongside Daron Payne and Johnny Newton. Eddie Goldman would seem to have the inside track on another slot; leaving one spot that must be wrestled away from either Sheldon Day or Jalyn Holmes. Even a spot on the practice squad is not given, with the likes of Carl Davis, Norell Pollard, and Villami Fehoko returning from last year’s squad. However, quantity does not always equal quality. Barber matches well with these players in terms of size and strength. In my view, if he shows the ability to play strong against the run and provide some pass rush ability he could be a Mason-Brennan dark horse this year.

I know of at least one college coach in Florida who agrees: