Ben Bartch Bio
Benjamin Bartch (born July 22, 1998) is an American professional football guard for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 6 in and listed at 315 lb, he plays the offensive line position and wears jersey number 78. He played college football for the Saint John’s Johnnies and was selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars before later joining San Francisco.
Bartch is one of the few players from a Division III program to reach the NFL in the modern era, a journey that took him from a small Catholic high school in Oregon to a starting role in the league. His career has included both notable achievements and significant injury setbacks that have shaped his path through professional football.
Early Life and Background
Benjamin Bartch was born on July 22, 1998, in McMinnville, Oregon, in the United States. He grew up in McMinnville and attended Blanchet Catholic School, a small private school in nearby Salem, Oregon. During his time at Blanchet, Bartch was a multi-sport athlete who lettered for four years in basketball while also playing football.
On the football field at Blanchet Catholic, Bartch played receiver, tight end, and linebacker. Although he was tall, he was also very skinny and was primarily a backup receiver for the school, not yet recognized for his eventual blocking abilities. As a senior, Bartch was billed at 195 pounds and recorded only a handful of receptions and tackles. He was not recruited by college programs out of high school, which led him to choose Saint John’s University, a Division III program in Minnesota.
Path to American Football
Bartch began his collegiate career at Saint John’s University playing tight end. He was billed at 220 pounds entering college and appeared in just one game as a freshman. As a sophomore, he served as the team’s third-string tight end, catching four passes for 43 yards and one touchdown while contributing mostly on special teams. His future as a blocker had not yet been discovered.
Going into his junior season, his coaches recognized a natural talent for blocking, with one describing it as a hidden natural-born ability, and suggested he move to the offensive line. To build the required mass, Bartch committed to a daily nutrition plan that included a protein shake of seven scrambled eggs, a tub of cottage cheese, quick grits, peanut butter, bananas, and Gatorade. He grew from 240 to 275 pounds in a single summer and eventually reached 308 pounds. Bartch also competed on the Saint John’s track and field team in shot put and discus throw events, which supported his athletic development.
Ben Bartch Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
After his position change to the offensive line, Bartch became the Johnnies starting left tackle and was named second-team All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) at the end of his junior season. He was also recognized on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team for his contributions off the field. These honors established him as a dominant force at the Division III level.
As a senior, Bartch was named first-team All-MIAC and a consensus first-team All-American by D3Football.com. Considered a draft prospect, he was invited to participate in the 2020 Senior Bowl, where he showcased his skills against top-tier college talent. A rival coach wrote that Bartch was the best Division III player he had ever seen, and that he was by far the best player on his team, even while playing alongside two Power Five transfers.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2020–2023)
Bartch was selected in the fourth round, 116th overall, of the 2020 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He became the first Saint John’s player to be drafted since 1974 and the first player drafted from any Division III program since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Ali Marpet in 2015. Bartch made his NFL debut on September 13, 2020, in the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts, playing five snaps on special teams. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Jaguars on December 15, 2020, and activated on January 5, 2021.
Bartch entered the 2022 season as the Jaguars starting left guard but suffered a dislocated knee in Week 5 and was placed on injured reserve on October 11, 2022. He returned as the starting left guard in 2023, was benched in Week 4, and was waived on October 31, 2023, after Jacksonville traded for Ezra Cleveland. Bartch was re-signed to the Jaguars practice squad on November 3, 2023.
San Francisco 49ers (2023–Present)
On November 21, 2023, Bartch was signed by the San Francisco 49ers to their active roster off of the Jaguars practice squad. He was placed on injured reserve on December 12, 2024, after an injury, then signed a one-year contract extension with the 49ers on February 24, 2025. He was placed back on injured reserve on September 17, 2025, after suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints.
Bartch was activated ahead of the 49ers Week 10 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on November 8, 2025, but was placed back on injured reserve on December 8, 2025, after suffering a significant foot sprain in Week 13 against the Cleveland Browns. Through his time in the NFL, Bartch has appeared in 55 games with 24 starts, according to his career statistics.
Driving Style and Strengths
Bartch is valued for his rare combination of size, length, and athleticism that originally attracted Saint John’s coaches to try him at offensive line. His background as a tight end and his track and field experience in throwing events gave him a strong athletic base that translated well to pass protection and run blocking. Coaches have praised his raw physical tools and his work ethic in transforming his body from 195 pounds in high school to 315 pounds in the NFL.
Notable Events and Milestones
Bartch’s selection in the 2020 NFL draft marked the first time a Saint John’s Johnnie had been drafted since 1974 and made him the first Division III player drafted since Ali Marpet in 2015. His invitation to the 2020 Senior Bowl validated his status as a top small-school prospect. More recently, his multiple trips to injured reserve between 2022 and 2025 have been defining moments in his career, testing his resilience through repeated comebacks.
Ben Bartch Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Benjamin Bartch’s contributions are measured less in individual wins and more in starting appearances and team success. Across his NFL career, he has played in 55 games with 24 starts for the Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers. His two All-MIAC selections in college stand as his most recognized individual honors.
College Highlights
Bartch was named second-team All-MIAC in 2018 and first-team All-MIAC in 2019, capping his college career with a consensus first-team All-American selection from D3Football.com. He also earned a spot on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team for his community contributions. His selection to the 2020 Senior Bowl represented the pinnacle of his college recognition.
Other Awards and Performances
Bartch earned a four-year letter in basketball at Blanchet Catholic School and competed in shot put and discus for the Saint John’s track and field team. These complementary athletic experiences supported his development into a professional offensive lineman. No verified regional or postseason football titles beyond his college All-MIAC and All-American honors are on record.
Ben Bartch Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Bartch’s parents and family is not available in verified sources. He grew up in McMinnville, Oregon, and attended Blanchet Catholic School, where he was a multi-sport athlete alongside his schoolmates.
Personal Life
Verified details about Bartch’s marital status, spouse, and children are not publicly available. He has spent his professional career split between Jacksonville and the San Francisco Bay Area since 2023. There are no confirmed personal-life details on record beyond his birthplace and residence in Oregon during his upbringing.
2025 Season Performance
Bartch entered the 2025 season coming off a contract extension signed in February with the San Francisco 49ers, signaling his continued role within the team’s offensive line plans. His season was interrupted early when he suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints and was placed on injured reserve on September 17, 2025. The 49ers activated him ahead of the Week 10 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on November 8, allowing him to contribute during the middle stretch of the season.
His return provided depth for San Francisco’s offensive front as the team navigated the back half of its schedule. In Week 13 against the Cleveland Browns, Bartch suffered a significant foot sprain that led to another injured reserve placement on December 8, 2025. The repeated injury setbacks have shaped his 2025 campaign, with his status updated on the team roster throughout the season.
Looking at the broader picture, Bartch’s 2025 season reflects both his value as a versatile interior lineman and the physical toll of his position. His contract runs through 2026, giving him a path to recovery and another opportunity to compete for a larger role with the 49ers in 2026. His performance when healthy has reinforced his reputation as a player capable of starting at guard in the NFL.