But head coach Marvin Lewis felt even then Barwin's interests were on defense and the combine agreed when it assigned him to work with the D-line. Barwin agreed, too.
"I'm lying if I didn't say I really found a passion for playing defense and just being on an attack mode," Barwin said. "It was a lot of fun playing defensive end this year. I really enjoyed it."
The Bengals will no doubt get a good look at him during the defensive linemen workout because a group of them breaks off for an outside backer drill devised by Bengals linebackers coach Jeff FitzGerald. At 6-3 and 256 pounds, Barwin fits the specs and he thinks he could have played it in college.
UC is going to be playing the 3-4 now that defensive coordinator Joe Tracy got canned by Kelly after the signing date even though defense was the major reason the Bearcats got to the Orange Bowl.
"It's a big surprise; no one knew about it," Barwin said. "I think Coach Kelly wants to run a 3-4. When I was there, they felt it would have been better if they used Angelo Craig in a 3-4 more often. I think they've got the athletes now to play a 3-4. I think he sees what NFL teams are doing. Coach Kelly likes to do everything like the NFL. That's how he runs it."