100 Days to Football Time in Oklahoma: #20 Robert Barnes
Posted on: August 9, 2020
The Path to Norman
OUDNA was in Robert Barnes his whole life. As the son of former Sooner Reggie Barnes, Robert grew up with OU all around. Part of the 2017 class, Robert committed to the Sooners about a year and a half before his signing day.
Excited to announce that I will be committing to the university of Oklahoma! #BoomerSooner βͺοΈπ΄π΄ pic.twitter.com/MtIOFZ1DmC
— Robert Barnes (@r0bertbarnes) September 7, 2015
Barnes came into OU a very highly-ranked safety with offers from all over the country. The Barnes family was some of the more vocal supporters of SS17, informing recruits and families alike of the excellence of the OU football program.
Career So Far
TFB heard nothing but great things about the hard work, talent, and athleticism of Barnes the summer before his freshman season. Continuous word of him pushing for a big, and potentially starting, role was the norm. He didnβt end up with a starting role, but played often and well during the first half of the season, despite some minor injuries. The second half of the season, Barnes was one of several freshman defenders to come on very strong. He earned his first start against TCU and played very well.
In 2018, Barnes started in a majority of the OU games and played in almost all, with his playing time being limited mostly by injury. He was one of the leaders of the defense and a very good safety for the Sooner when healthy.
2019 hit the pause button. With a lot of options in the secondary, Barnes played sparingly in the first half of the season, with a move to nickel coming early. After hitting his max four games, he decided to use the year as a redshirt season, get fully healthy, and be ready for 2020.
Current Profile
Position: Safety
Height: 6β2β
Weight: 232
Year: Redshirt Junior
Stats
Highlights
2β£0β£ Days Until π ΎοΈππ.
— πΊπππππππ ππ. πΏππ πππππ (@soonergridiron) August 12, 2019
Robert Barnes intercepts Tech's 2-point conversion attempt and returns it 100-plus yards last season.
Also π Ronnie Perkins' block at the 10 takes out two Tech players and Tre Brown's after sprinting 80 yards downfield.#OUDNA | #BoomerSooner https://t.co/v6dSRjTDS4
Oklahoma starts the fourth quarter with an interception by Robert Barnes. #Sooners https://t.co/IyYMwskzn0
— πΊπππππππ ππ. πΏππ πππππ (@soonergridiron) September 1, 2018
2020 Season
With a redshirt season in the rearview and the highest bill of health in a while, Robert Barnes is hoping 2020 is his year. After working all over the secondary throughout his career, Barnes will try his hand at inside linebacker this season. Coach Grinch wanted to make use of his length and comfort level close to the line. To prepare for this transition, he has put on 25 pounds since last August – James Hale reported that Barnes may have worked harder than anyone during COVID-19. With Caleb Kelly now injured, the linebacker spot is a little more open. DaShaun White and Brian Asamoah are assumed to be the top two linebackers, although both have been working at WILL. Can Barnes push enough to compete for the starting MIKE job? His cover instincts are going to serve him very well here. Even if he doesnβt start, Sooner fans will be rooting for Barnes to settle in at linebacker and roar to a return in 2020.
