From Hater to All-American, Barnes Fitting Right in at Clemson

Khalil Barnes has big dreams. On and off the field.

His pathway to Clemson was unique, as he was a very late addition to the 2023 recruiting class. Although, in the end, things worked out and at Clemson, Barnes is not only growing into the player he wants to be, but also the man he envisions himself becoming. And for that, he gives a lot of credit to the game itself.

“Football is a pathway for a lot of people, and I think it was the same way for me,” Barnes said recently on House Calls . “I think if you use the game the right way, you can reap the benefits. But you’re only going to benefit out of it what you put into it. What you put into it is going to be what you get out of it.”

“I love it, but it’s hard. It’s not built for everybody. I think that is what really attracted me to the game is that not everybody can do it. Because I don’t like being told I can’t do something. The word ‘don’t’ or ‘can’t,’ that wasn’t something I really grew up with.”

Growing up in Athens, and with his family having some ties to Georgia, Barnes never really saw himself playing at Clemson. In fact, as a youngster, he was not much of a fan.

“At first, I ain’t gonna lie, I was hating,” Barnes said. “I was a hater. I was a hater for sure. Then they ended up winning.”

Fast forward a few years later and Barnes and his family are all in with Clemson. On his very first game day visit, Avieon Terrell pitched Barnes on the idea of having one of the best secondaries in the nation.

“When I started communication with Clemson, even if I didn’t try to text them, I was going to get at least two texts a week, from three-plus coaches,” Barnes said. “My first gameday visit to Clemson, I think it was the Syracuse game in 2022 and AV was at that game. He ended up seeing me, introduced himself, and he was like, ‘If you come be a part of our group with this defensive backfield, our class is going to have the best DB class they’ve ever had run through here.”

Barnes, who as at one time committed to Wake Forest, would end up decommitting and joining Terrell in the Tigers’ 2023 class.

One year in and it is a decision that appears to be paying off. Barnes became the first Clemson player in the Dabo Swinney era to record multiple forced fumbles and multiple interceptions in a freshman season. He was one of three players in the country, and the only freshman, with at least three interceptions, three or more forced fumbles and one sack last season.

Barnes would wind up earning first-team Freshman All-American honors from 247Sports, the FWAA and On3. He also nabbed second-team Freshman All-American per The Athletic and College Football News, along with being named All-ACC by multiple outlets.

However, Barnes is far from satisfied. He never is. In reality, he’s just getting started. The next step is maintaining that success he experienced during his freshman campaign, along with continuing to develop as a man off the field.

“To me, success, I haven’t maintained it yet,” Barnes said. “Because what I am doing on the field is a pathway for my success. Oftentimes I will be like, ‘I ain’t done nothing yet. I haven’t accomplished anything yet for real.’ Because I haven’t. I have done things to get me onto the little steps to where I want to go, but success to me isn’t sustained until I start a family and I can take care of that family.

A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available.  Get yours while supplies last!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!