Former Ohio State QB J.T. Barrett hired by Detroit Lions as offensive assistant

Former Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett is embarking on a new chapter in his football career.

The Detroit Lions announced Saturday that Barrett has joined the team as an offensive assistant.

Lions coach Dan Campbell was an assistant for the New Orleans Saints, for whom Barrett was on the practice squad multiple times after going undrafted in 2018.

Former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer believes Barrett will be a natural.

"I told him that from one of the first days I started coaching him, that he needed to be a coach," Meyer said. "He's got all the qualities you look for. He's a competitor. He has great knowledge of the game and great football acumen. And his leadership skills are as good as anyone I've ever been around."

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 J.T. Barrett's time at Ohio State

Barrett started most of four seasons with Ohio State under Meyer and became one of the Buckeyes' most decorated players. The Wichita Falls, Texas, native was a three-time captain and All-Big Ten quarterback and threw for 9,434 yards and 104 touchdowns from 2014-17. Barrett also ran for 3,263 yards and 43 touchdowns. He shared the 2018 Chicago Tribune Silver Football honor given to the Big Ten's top player with Penn State running back Saquon Barkley.

Barrett was thrust into the starting job as a redshirt freshman in 2014 when Braxton Miller injured his throwing shoulder in training camp. He led the Buckeyes to the brink of the postseason before breaking his ankle against Michigan. Cardale Jones took over and quarterbacked Ohio State to an improbable national championship in the inaugural College Football Playoff. 

Jones started the next season, but Barrett eventually took over the job and held it for the next two seasons.

Barrett's NFL career

Then came the revolving door on the Saints' practice squad. He was often cut when the team needed to plug a roster hole. But New Orleans coach Sean Payton re-signed him 11 times before finally parting ways.

"Sean Payton told me several times he wanted to find a way to keep him in the organization," Meyer said. "He thought really highly of him. I imagine that's where Dan Campbell got him."

Barrett spent much of 2019 and '20 on the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice squad.

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Barrett signed with the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League but tore his Achilles tendon in March. The team placed him on the retired list.

Meyer relayed that, when they were at Ohio State, Barrett wasn't sure he wanted to go into coaching because of the time commitment.

"But I just think he's too talented not to be a coach," said Meyer.

Bill Rabinowitz covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Contact him at brabinowitz@dispatch.com or on Twitter @brdispatch.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Urban Meyer supports Lions hiring former Ohio State QB JT Barrett