Cody Barton ‘Grateful’ For Opportunity With Seahawks
May 2, 2019, 12:11 PM | Updated: May 3, 2019, 6:43 pm
Steve Griffin, Deseret News
SEATTLE, Wash. – Former Utah linebacker Cody Barton’s NFL dreams came true when he was drafted in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks.
For Barton, who also starred at Brighton High prior to his days at Utah, it was the culmination of years of hard work.
“I was so excited to get that call from Seattle and beyond grateful to be drafted by them,” Barton told KSL Sports. “The Seahawks have a reputation of being a nasty defense, and I will fit in great. The joy has been sweet, but the work is just beginning.”
Round 3
Pick 88Cody Barton is joining Marquise Blair in Seattle! @Seahawks
Read: https://t.co/mswczBmkwX pic.twitter.com/9Su8Aj03bt— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) April 27, 2019
In his senior season at Utah, Barton coupled with Chase Hansen, who signed a free agent deal with the New Orleans Saints after going undrafted, to create what was arguably the best linebacking duo in the country. For his efforts, Barton was honored as a honorable mention selection on the All-Pac-12 team.
Barton’s brother, Jackson, also starred at Utah and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the draft.
Seattle Brass Excited About Utah Players
To Seahawks general manager John Schneider, it was a huge homerun to the team to score a pair of Utes in the draft. Seattle also selected former Ute safety Marquise Blair in the second round.
“We got the two Utes,” Schneider said to the Seattle media. “[Utah] actually had a really good defense . . . Coach [Kyle] Whittingham is really demanding. [Blair and Barton] are coming out of a system where they are both well-disciplined guys when they come out.”
Fired. Up. 🔥
Cody Barton gets the call. 📞#SeahawksDraft pic.twitter.com/OyQsAcByXn
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) April 27, 2019
Seattle head coach Pete Carroll said that Barton will be expected to play a lot of special teams to begin his professional career, but he’ll also have the opportunity to hone his defensive skills from a talented group of linebackers, led by former Utah State star Bobby Wagner.
“He’s really smart and handled a lot of the communications,” Carroll said of Barton. “That versatility is really important to us. And we know that he’s an incredibly gifted special teams player as well. He’ll have a chance to learn under terrifically experienced guys. He’ll be a great asset to us. We see him being a part of a lot of stuff right off the bat. We’re really excited about that.”
Another Ute!
With #Pick88, we've selected Cody Barton! 👋#SeahawksDraft pic.twitter.com/vXZEkyi34e
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) April 27, 2019
The Seahawks’ 2019 season will kick off with a preseason battle with the Denver Broncos on August 8. They will begin their regular season on September 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
