Throughout T Austin Barber's football career, he only played guard for a handful of 1-on-1 pass protection reps during his freshman year at the University of Florida. Other than that, the only position Barber played on the offensive line was tackle.
That changed, though, when the Browns decided to try Barber — their 2026 third round pick — at right guard more than midway through training camp.
With the position switch from playing second-team right tackle to right guard, Barber provides the Browns with versatility and depth on the offensive line entering the 2026 season. The rookie is building confidence while playing at guard with the help of coaches and teammates.
"The way I've been practicing, going out there practicing and hearing feedback from the vets and hearing feedback from the coaches, it gives me the confidence I can go there and play," Barber said.
T Tytus Howard is one of the veterans on the Browns' offensive line that has experience playing at both guard and tackle. Howard believes learning both positions early in Barber's career will help him acclimate to the speed of the NFL.
"Him being able to get all that repetition early on in his career, it's going to help him out a lot," Howard said. "It's going to slow the game down for him. I know for sure because I've done that and being able to know what to do at every single position, you're going to be able to play faster and it's going to only get him better technically, which, I've seen this past week at right guard. He played really well for the past two weeks. So, it's only going to make him better. Austin has a bright future ahead of him, whether it's at guard or tackle."
Barber's improvement at guard was on display from the Browns' second preseason game to the third, a big reason for that was his willingness to take coaching.
During Cleveland's preseason game against the Bills with the second-team offensive line, there was a play where Barber was 'a little bit casual' when the ball was caught on a screen pass. He didn't move his feet quick enough downfield, according to head coach Todd Monken, which served as a teaching moment. Barber, whose mentality in the film room is to not make the same mistake twice, corrected his error when the Browns ran the same play the next week.
"I watched the film and I saw what I did, and I was like, 'If it happens again, I have to be ready.' And funny enough, it was called and it happened the way I wanted it to," Barber said.
Against the Patriots, Barber accelerated through the defender and forced him out of the play. Monken noticed how the preparation in the film room played a part in Barber correcting his mistake quickly. That commitment has allowed Barber to improve in a short period of time at a new position.
"What a great job he's done playing, starting at tackle, then going to guard. I think he's only going to continue to get better, so I've been very pleased with him," Monken said. "He certainly takes coaching from the meeting room, from his past experiences to the field."
The biggest change with moving to the interior of the offensive line for Barber has been the size of the defensive lineman he faces. Barber has also recognized the need for a heightened level of awareness when playing at guard.
"The guys are bigger (and) there's just a lot of things you have to see," Barber said. "You have to see a lot more in there. At tackle, you're on an island and you're going against guys that run 4.5s, 4.6s on the edge, but they're a little bit bigger inside."
Barber isn't worried about which position he plays on the offensive line, though. That's not what matters to him. Barber is simply looking to help the Browns wherever he can this season.
"Any way to help the team win, any way to help myself get on the field and help me provide," Barber said. "If it's inside, outside, just any way."
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 1 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr. (1) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Derek Barnett (97) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive Coordinator Mike Rutenberg during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Chris Williams (61) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (20) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive Coordinator Travis Switzer during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Jared Verse (8) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (11) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end Messiah Swinson (84) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Jared Verse (8) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Center Parker Brailsford (52) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Sam Williams (54) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. (35) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Jaleel McLaughlin (38) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Assistant Special Teams Coach Keith Tandy during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Kole Wilson (87) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr. (1) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Chris Williams (61) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Jaleel McLaughlin (38) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Chris Williams (61) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Tyreak Sapp (64) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive Backs Coach/Pass Game Specialist Coach Brandon Lynch during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (20) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. (35) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Derek Barnett (97) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins (74) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (28) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Daniel Thomas (24) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (20) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (20) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Justin Jefferson (17) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (20) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (29) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Quincy Williams (5) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (29) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Quincy Williams (5) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Derek Barnett (97) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Khordae Sydnor (90) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Chris Williams (61) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. (35) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Quincy Williams (5) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (42) during practice on September 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
