Nicholas Alexander Barnett (born May 27, 1981) is a former American football linebacker. He played college football for Oregon State University, and was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He has played professionally for the NFL's Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins. With the Packers, he won Super Bowl XLV against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Early years Barnett was born in Barstow, California and attended Fontana A.B. Miller High School in Fontana, California. College career Barnett attended Oregon State University, where he was a four-year letter winner for the Oregon State Beavers football team (1999–2002), starting the last three seasons at strong side linebacker. As a senior, Barnett was a first-team All-Pacific-10 Conference selection. He led the conference in tackles with 121 (62 solo). Barnett registered his single game best against the University of California in 2001 with 18 tackles (11 solo). He majored in Business Administration and Communications. College statistics Professional career Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers selected Barnett in the first round (29th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft. Barnett was the third linebacker drafted in 2003, behind Terrell Suggs (10th overall) and Calvin Pace (18th overall). On July 19, 2003, the Green Bay Packers signed Barnett to five-year, $6 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $3.21 million. Barnett entered training camp as the 'de facto' starting middle linebacker, replacing Hardy Nickerson. Head coach Mike Sherman named Barnett the starting middle linebacker to begin his rookie season. He started alongside outside linebackers Hannibal Navies and Na'il Diggs. He made his professional regular season debut and first career start during the Green Bay Packers' season-opener against the Minnesota Vikings and made five combined tackles (one solo) during their 30–25 loss. On September 14, 2003, Barnett collected a season-high 14 combined tackles (12 solo), deflected one pass, and made his first career interception during a 31–6 victory against the Detroit Lions in Week 2. Barnett intercepted a pass by Lions' quarterback Joey Harrington, that was originally intended for tight end Mikhael Ricks, and returned it for a 13-yard gain during the fourth quarter. In Week 4, he made four combined tackles (three solo) and made his first career sack on Bears' quarterback Kordell Stewart for a five-yard loss during the first quarter of a 38–23 victory at the Chicago Bears. Barnett was inactive for the Packers'