Barrett Selected by the Chargers in the 5th Round of the NFL Draft

COLUMBIA, S.C. (April 25, 2026) – University of South Carolina defensive tackle Nick Barrett was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers with the fifth pick in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Saturday. He was the second Gamecock player taken in the 2026 Draft and the 145th player selected overall.

Barrett, a 6-3, 313-pounder from Goldsboro, N.C., spent five years in the Garnet & Black. He appeared in 51 games with 12 starts, recording 72 tackles during his career.

In 2025, Barrett was recognized as a Rex Enright permanent team captain, a co-Steve Wadiak Team MVP Award winner and a co-Most Outstanding Senior Award recipient. He also earned the coaches’ Strength & Conditioning Award and Nutrition Award. He topped all Carolina defensive linemen with 42 tackles, including 6.0 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks while starting all 12 games.

Barrett is the first Gamecock selected by the Chargers since Kyle Kennard was taken in the fourth round of the 2025 draft.

Barrett is the fourth Gamecock defensive tackle selected in the past four years, joining 2023 pick Zacch Pickens and 2025 selections T.J. Sanders and Tonka Hemingway.