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That one remaining brick was a logical choice to be a captain, a position he didn't even hold at Perry High School in Massillon. Now, as the only fifth-year senior on the 85-man roster, he has no choice but to lead.
That means setting the right example for younger players. When his best friend and roommate, T.J. Downing, was around, Barton said the two often hit Hooters for lunch.
''Now it's Subway,'' he said.
He pushed all of his classes back to start later in the day so he can sleep in, because ''I was amazed at how much of a difference it makes when you get eight hours of sleep. I didn't realize that until I started getting eight hours.''
Barton irritated the coaching staff last year following the win over Michigan, when he appeared in the press interview room with a cigar and bragging about the bottle of champagne he purchased.
He never meant any harm by it, but the coaches felt it portrayed the wrong message to kids. Barton quickly apologized in Tressel's office and immediately began taking his role as leader more seriously.
''I'll never bring anything into a media room again,'' he joked. ''Now I'm sipping water.''
And now is when Barton's leadership is paying off, particularly since there aren't many senior voices to be heard.
One year after Ohio State enjoyed the seniority of 17 fifth-year players, now there is just Barton.
''It was a feast or famine type group,'' Tressel said of the '03 class. ''At least three or four are in the NFL-- and four or five are elsewhere.''
Anthony Gonzalez and Donte Whitner would probably be considered the two biggest success stories, since both left early and became first-round picks in the NFL. Ashton Youboty also has a spot on an NFL roster and David Patterson exhausted his eligibility after playing his fourth year last season.
The rest of the class wasn't nearly as successful. From the typical academic casualties (Brandon Maupin) to the more serious robbery charges (Louis Irrizary, Ira Guilford), the ashes of the class of '03 leave coaches and players wondering what might have been.
Tressel said the biggest problem recruiting that year was the fact a number of the players were returning from the national championship season from 2002. Immediately, that meant the total number of players in the class would be low.
''The good news is there are 24 fourth-year juniors this year,'' Tressel said, comparing this season to 2005, when a large number of players were either fourth-year seniors or fourth-year juniors.
''You had a blend of a lot of potential leadership (in '05) and this year coming up you've got the sprinkling of true seniors and then you've got the boatload of fourth-year juniors.''
Barton doesn't have a problem leading from a position -- offensive lineman -- that isn't generally known for being vocal. He said during his time in Columbus, kicker Mike Nugent was one of the best leaders he's been around.
''Leadership is not always yelling and training for a game,'' Barton said. ''Leadership is giving guys rides home and making sure they get where they need to be or taking the freshmen who don't have cars home.
''When I was a freshman, I didn't have a car and sometimes I walked home from the Woody Hayes (training facility). It was a couple of miles. I remember not having a car and being away from home. I really try to reach out to those guys and try to make them feel more comfortable.''
Barton is disappointed to be the only one left from a class that began with such potential.
He said all the incoming recruits would talk about all they would accomplish together, but four years later, now this year's crop of freshmen have those conversations while Barton is left to feel like the old man.
''You come in with guys and you think you're going to be friends forever with them,'' he said. ''Then they kind of fall by the wayside. Piece by piece, it all crumbled. Now I'm all that's left.''
jlloyd@morningjournal.com
