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Ex-Alabama safety Mark Barron has L.A. Rams first in NFC West Division

Jonathan Dyer - USA TODAY Sports

The former Alabama safety and two-time national champion is no joke.

Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Mark Barron has always been an enforcer on defense, but now it seems that he has stepped his game up even more. After being traded from Tampa Bay to Los Angeles in 2014, he’s taking on the role of being a hybrid player. Barron was transitioned to weak side “Will” linebacker in 2015, after teammate Alec Ogletree suffered an injury. The move is starting to pay off for the Mobile (Ala.) native.

The Rams sit atop the NFC West at 2-1, upon defeating Seattle and Tampa Bay. Barron, a fifth-year veteran, totaled 19 tackles combined in both games. He accounted for 10 stops in a 9-3 win over the Seahawks, while lighting up his former team for nine tackles, a quarterback hurry and an interception in a 37-32 win last week.

He’s posted 22 tackles and an interception in three games. Barron will lead Los Angeles into Sunday’s divisional match-up against the Arizona Cardinals (1-2) at University of Phoenix Stadium. Prior to attending Alabama and being in the NFL, Barron was a five-star athlete from Saint Paul’s Espiscopal High School.

Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama MagazineYou can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.

Stephen Smith is a 2015 graduate of the University of Alabama. He is a senior writer and reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He has covered Alabama football for 10+ years and his knowledge and coverage of the Crimson Tide's program have made him among the most respected journalist in his field. Smith has been featured on ESPN and several other marquee outlets as an analyst.

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