Junior CB Barnes Juggling 11 College Offers, Gears Up for Season

Entertaining 11 offers from colleges in only his junior season, Robert Barnes is hopeful to join a young defensive backfield that returns one starter (Obi Eboh) from 2014-15. Head coach Hal Wasson counts on his young defenders to be a strong unit and is excited to see them continue to develop.

"Robert has worked extremely hard to be a great player and teammate," Wasson said. "He has good size, speed, and range. As with all our player's, we rely on them to focus on having a great season and be the best they can be each day. I'm confident Robert will be that guy."

We caught up with Barnes for a closer look at his college offers and the upcoming season.

Southlake Style: You recently received offers from Texas,brAlabama and Baylor – what do you like about each of them? 

Robert Barnes: For me, all the schools, they bring the good balance betweenbracademics and football. It’s a good bonus. I’ve gotten a really good vibe frombrthose schools. The coaches are good people and look to better your life outsidebrof football, like entering the business world and just after you’re done playing football, tobrmake sure they graduate good men and not just good football players. 

SS: How does it feel tobrattract this much attention with two seasons still left to play?

Barnes: It’s overall a blessing. It hit me fast with the start of summer. When the first one from Oregon State hit, it was a huge blessing forbrme. Now I have to go out there and prove I should be offered by those schoolsbrand that I can live up to those expectations everyone’s looking for me to livebrup to. 

SS: So what other schools have you received offers from aside from Oregon State, Texas, Alabama and Baylor?

Barnes: In total, 11, also including Duke, Iowa, Nebraska, Boston College, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech.

SS: Obi Eboh is the onlybrstarter to return from last year’s secondary. Talk about your role this yearbrand what you plan to accomplish.

Barnes: I plan to come in and be the quarterback of the defense. I know I havebrObi to help me with the calls, because he’s been there. I was playing outside [line]backer during the playoffs [last year]. I got the feel for what the defense will look like forbrus to win. My biggest goal is to go out there and basically just try to vocallybrand physically lead the team and be that playmaker that can jumpstart thebrdefense. 

SS: Do you think this teambrhas what it takes to win it all this year?

Barnes: Yessir for sure. We’re young, but we definitely have thebrtalent. Once we get the mental aspect of it down, we definitely have what itbrtakes to win the state championship.

SS: Who is Robert Barnesbroff the field? 

Barnes: Other sports I play are track and basketball. Outside of footballbrit’s basically just hanging out with my friends. Southlake is a great place tobrlive. It’s a small-town atmosphere. Things I want to study [in college], I’m looking atbrmarketing in the business world. I haven’t relaly looked into what I’ll bebrmajoring yet, but that’s the idea I’ve had.

SS: Anything else you’dbrlike to say, people you’d particularly like to thank? 

Barnes: I would like to thank my mom and dad for continuing tobrsupport me and my coaches for showing me just how to be a Dragon. I hope webrhave a great season this year. Looking forward to it.