Rookie safety Dominique Barber is the first Texans 2008 draft pick to sign a contract with the team.
The Houston Texans announced Thursday that they have signed sixth-round draft pick Dominique Barber. The safety from Minnesota is the Texans' first 2008 draft choice to sign.
Barber (6-0 210), was the 173rd selection in the 2008 NFL Draft from Minnesota. Barber is the second Minnesota Golden Gopher to be drafted by the Texans, following LB Greg White in 2002 (7th round, 229th overall).
Barber appeared in 26 games as a Golden Gopher with 24 starts, totaling 191 tackles, including 130 solo stops during his career. He collected 174 of his 191 career stops during the 2006-07 seasons for an average of 87 total tackles per season as a junior and senior. He finished with four career interceptions, 13 pass break-ups and four fumble recoveries.
Barber was voted second team All-Big Ten by the league's coaches and the media last season. He started all 12 games and led the Gophers with 100 total tackles. He scored his lone collegiate touchdown by scooping up a fumble and racing 46 yards for the score at Michigan (10/27/07).
The Minneapolis native is the son of Marion Barber, Jr., who played fullback for the New York Jets from 1982-88. Dominique's brother, Marion Barber III, is a Pro Bowl running back for the Dallas Cowboys and is entering his fourth NFL season.
