PJ Barkman
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| PJ Barkman | |
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| Position(s): Defensive End |
Jersey #(s): 76 |
| Born: August 5, 1986 Newark, New Jersey |
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| Career Information | |
| Year(s): 2008–2020 | |
| NFL Draft: 2008 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6 | |
| College: Texas | |
| Professional Teams | |
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| Career Stats | |
| Sacks | 106.5 |
| Forced Fumbles | 56 |
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| Stats at NFL.com | |
| Career Highlights and Awards | |
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| College Football Hall of Fame | |
Benjamin James Barkman (born July 16, 1986 in Newark, New Jersey) is a former American football player. The son of a former NFL QB, he was getting a lot of attention as a NFL Defensive End and is considered by many to have been one of the best players at that position during the late 2000's and early 2010's. At 6'6" and 295 pounds, he is considered one of the biggest and toughest defensive lineman ever.
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[edit] College career
A three-time All-American, he starred at defensive end for Texas University in the mid 2000's and finished his career holding virtually every Longhorn defensive lineman record. An academic All-American, Barkman saw his jersey retired and presented to him by Texas governor Terry Sanford on Jan. 20, 2008 at half-time of an Texas-Kansas basketball game in Longhorns Coliseum. He was All-America football defensive end three times, Bog 12 player of the year four times, and captain of his team. Barkman set 25 school and nine conference football records. He also played golf and was voted the best amateur athlete in 2008. In a four-year career Barkman piles 55.0 sacks and forced 39 fumbles. Against Missouri in 2007 he piled up 3.5 sacks.
Barkman was the number one A.F.L. draft pick, but then BJ was chosen sixth in the N.F.L. draft, by the Oakland Raiders[1], he went on to a distinguished professional career. Gabriel was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2026.
[edit] NFL career
In the professional ranks Barkman went on to play 13 seasons in the NFL. He was named the NFL Most Valuable Player Award in 2012 and earned Pro Bowl spots in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017. He ranked as the Raiders' all-time sacks leader with 106.5 sacks. In 2010 he led the NFL with 16.5 scaks and 13 forced fumbles, for which he was awarded the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award.
[edit] Barkman's strength
Barkman had incredible strength. "Once against Nebraska, game film showed that he tackled Nebraska QB Donny Rogers and broke his helmet in half." [2]
[edit] World League of American Football (WLAF) career
He was the head coach of the Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks of the World League of American Football, becoming the only coach to have a perfect season (10-0), in the inaugural season of 2022-2023. He then retired after that season as the coach to become the new head coach for the Virginia Cavaliers.
[edit] Coaching Career with Virginia
Barkman has been coaching Virginia for 5 years and led the to the Orange Bowl in 2024. Since he has been the Virginia football coach three players from Virginia have been taken in the top 5 of the NFL draft.
