Amare

Barno

Reporters asked Canales about Panthers players who began the season on injury-related reserve lists, including Brooks, LB D.J. Wonnum, CB Dane Jackson and LB Amaré Barno. Canales responded, “We’re ramping them up... Some last couple of hurdles for them to clear before we feel like we can put them out there in practice. But they’re all really close.” Should Brooks return in Week 5, he would be roughly 10 months removed since undergoing ACL reconstruction.

Barno (6’5/246) wasn’t even rated by the major recruiting services out of high school, but it might have been for the best as he excelled at the JUCO level before signing with Virginia Tech. He took a redshirt before receiving Honorable Mention All-ACC recognition in 2020, leading the team with 16.0 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Barno started all 12 games in 2021, but his production slipped to 5.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks despite an appreciable jump in pressure rate, going from eight percent in 2020 to 11.5 percent last year. His straight-line speed is among the best of all time at the position, running an incredible 4.36 40, while his 37-inch vertical is 93rd percentile and his 10-foot-11 broad jump is one of the top marks in history for an edge defender. However, the Achilles heel for Barno is his play strength. His spindly frame leads to him getting overpowered at the point of attack, and he lacks the counter ability or technique to dislodge from blocks. A fast and long-limbed edge defender with elite speed, Barno will need to make some changes to stick at the next level, but his special teams acumen could help him stick around.

Barno (6'6/245) not only had the best 40-yard dash time, but he also had an incredible 10-yard split. He was in the 100th percentile in all three speed splits and jumped incredibly well too. His broad jump was 99.6th percentile and vertical at 92.9th percentile. His skillset matches up well for the edge position, as he is a pure speed rusher that can get around the tackle really well. His athletic profile will be one that teams target at the beginning of day three.

Barno is 6'6"/245 and ran a 4.36. That’s fast for a WR. That is an absolute freak time for a man of that size, and that should shoot him up draft board. That’s the official time as well. He posted 78 total tackles (21.5 for loss) and 10 sacks in his two seasons at Virginia Tech. That’s solid production, and that is a silly 40-yard dash. In fact, it’s the fastest DL time since 2003.

Barno (6'6/245) served as an every-down edge player for Virginia Tech, tallying 35 tackles, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a PBU over 10 games this season. PFF’s gives him a respectable overall defensive grade of 72.3 while their advanced data shows him generating 43 pressures, 22 hurries and seven hits. He transferred into VT as a JUCO from Butler CC where he played safety and was rated as the 78th overall prospect in his class. In his first season, Barno posted 43 tackles, 16 TFL and 6.5 sacks while leading the ACC in tackles for loss and earned Phil Steele’s nod for third-team All-ACC. Barno will forego Virginia’ Tech’s bowl to prepare for the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine.