Keeping It Heel
Fansided

UNC Football: Top 10 Tar Heels selected in NFL Draft since 1980

By John Ellis

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 10: Detail photo of a North Carolina Tar Heels helmet during their game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Kenan Stadium on October 10, 2020 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 56-45. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 10: Detail photo of a North Carolina Tar Heels helmet during their game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Kenan Stadium on October 10, 2020 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 56-45. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 11
Next
SAN FRANCISCO – SEPTEMBER 22: Offensive tackle Harris Barton # 79 of the San Francisco 49ers blocks against Los Angeles Rams linebacker Kevin Greene #91 at Candlestick Park on September 22, 1991 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won 27-10. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO – SEPTEMBER 22: Offensive tackle Harris Barton # 79 of the San Francisco 49ers blocks against Los Angeles Rams linebacker Kevin Greene #91 at Candlestick Park on September 22, 1991 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won 27-10. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) /

Harris Barton (No. 22 overall, 1987 NFL Draft)

Completing his collegiate career in 1986 as a four-year starter on the offensive line, Harris Barton was an anchor at the left tackle position. Coming out of high school, he had been recruited by schools such as Oklahoma, Notre Dame and University of Southern California but he decided on coming to Carolina. He was originally slated to be a defensive lineman but he was switched to center prior to the start of his freshman season. He would start at center his freshman season and then be switched to left tackle midway through his sophomore season. He would anchor the left side for the remainder of his college career. His quality of play was recognized when he was named the ACC’s Outstanding Offensive Lineman after his senior season.

He would be drafted by the San Francisco 49ers and over his ten year career, Barton would be recognized twice as an All-Pro selection. He has three Super Bowl victories to his credit after the 49ers were victorious in Super Bowls XXIII, XXIV and XXIX. Barton played in a total of 138 games with 89 consecutive starts. Barton would retire after the 1998 season. He was later inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

After his career was over, Barton partnered with 49er legends Ronnie Lott and Joe Montana to form Champion Ventures. In 2010, he left there to form his own angel investment firm, H. Barton Asset Management.

Home/UNC Football