He played college football for the Albany Great Danes and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL draft.

Barksdale was also a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals, and also played for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Barksdale was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round (201st overall) of the 2007 NFL draft.

Barksdale made his NFL regular season debut on October 7, 2007, making him the first UAlbany player to appear in an NFL regular season game when he took the field on special teams for the opening kickoff.

He was promoted to the active roster on December 30 when cornerback Sam Madison was placed on injured reserve.