Rams Rewind: Joe Barksdale/Latsch

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Rams Rewind: Joe Barksdale
By Nate Latsch

http://stl.scout.com/story/1510844-rams-rewind-joe-barksdale?s=124

ST. LOUIS — With National Signing Day on Wednesday, we’re taking a look back at some of the Rams when they were high school prospects and going through the recruiting process.

Offensive lineman Joe Barksdale

Then: Barksdale was a five-star prospect from Cass High School in Detroit. He was rated as the 36th-best prospect in the Class of 2007 and the fourth best defensive tackle. He picked LSU after also considered Florida State, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Michigan State. He enrolled early and switched to offensive tackle.

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Evaluation: “Massive human being. … Strong hands and extremely powerful. … Bull rusher that commands a double team. … Gives good effort on every play but rarely challenged at the high school level. … Could play on either side of the football in college.”

Now: Barksdale was a third-round pick (No. 92 overall) of the Oakland Raiders in the 2011 draft, but after appearing in 16 games as a rookie he was released the following season. The Rams picked him up and he has blossomed over the past two seasons, emerging as the starting right tackle for 29 of their 32 games. The 27-year-old will be a free agent this offseason.