Ben Bartch

Bartch grew up in McMinnville, Oregon and attended Blanchet Catholic School where he played tight end.[1] He was not recruited out of high school.

Bartch began his collegiate career playing tight end. He played in one game as a freshman and was team's third tight end as a sophomore, catching four passes for 43 yards and one touchdown.[2] His coaches liked his blocking ability and suggested he move to the offensive line going into his junior season. In order to gain weight, Bartch consumed a protein shake daily consisting of 7 scrambled eggs, tub of cottage cheese, quick grits, peanut butter, bananas and gatorade and went up from 250 pounds to 275 by summer training camp before eventually reaching 305 pounds.[3][4] Bartch became the Johnnies starting left tackle and was named second team All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) and to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team at the end of the season.[5][6] As a senior, Bartch was named first team All-MIAC and a consensus first team All-American by D3Football.com.[7] Considered a prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft, Bartch was invited to participate in the 2020 Senior Bowl.[8]

Bartch also competed on Saint John's track and field team in shot put and discus throw events.[9]

Bartch was selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.[10] He became the first Saint John's player to be drafted since 1974 and the first player to be drafted from any Division III program in five years.[11] Bartch made his NFL debut on September 13, 2020 in the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts, playing five snaps on special teams.[12] He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Jaguars on December 15, 2020,[13] and activated on January 5, 2021.[14]

• Saint John's Johnnies bio