J.T. Barrett Reportedly Joins Colts as UDFA After 2018 NFL Draft

The Indianapolis Colts have invited former Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett to rookie minicamp after the signal-caller was not selected in the 2018 NFL draft, general manager Chris Ballard announced.

The MMQB's Albert Breer originally reported Barrett had agreed to a contract with the Colts as a UDFA.

Barrett left Ohio State as one of the most decorated players in school history. After four years at OSU, he finished with a program-record 9,434 passing yards.

He also set Big Ten records with 104 passing touchdowns, 147 total touchdowns and 12,697 total offensive yards.

Barrett's best season was his final one, as he completed 64.7 percent of his passes for 3,053 yards, 35 touchdowns and nine interceptions while rushing for 798 yards and 12 scores.

His 3,851 total yards and 47 total touchdowns were both single-season Ohio State records.

JT Barrett Makes the Clutch Touchdown Throw Late in the Fourth

Barrett was a three-time All-Big Ten first-team selection, and he won a College Football Playoff national championship, although Cardale Jones was the starter in the 2014 postseason run since Barrett was out with injury.

At the conclusion of the 2017 season, Barrett expressed his belief that he helped his draft stock, according to Patrick Murphy of 247Sports: "Being comfortable in the pocket maybe would be one thing, not being in a rush to pull the ball down. Accuracy has gotten better. Things like that. It's part of development. Those things, I feel like I was constantly trying to work and they were able to show through games, so it was good."

Despite Barrett's collegiate production, there wasn't much hype surrounding him throughout the draft process.

A so-so performance in the East-West Shrine Game didn't do him any favors, as he finished with 69 yards and one touchdown on 5-of-13 passing.

Barrett also happened to be part of a deep quarterback class, which included the likes of Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Baker Mayfield, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Mason Rudolph, among others.

One advantage for Barrett as he enters the professional ranks is the fact that he won't be expected to make an immediate impact, unlike many of his counterparts.

Barrett's roster spot also isn't guaranteed, but if he does make the Colts in 2018, then he figures to settle in as a third quarterback who can sit and learn behind Andrew Luck and Jacoby Brissett. 

Based on his experience and overall body of work, Barrett is a solid signal-caller who could put up some nice production throughout the preseason.