Linebacker Travion Barnes a bright spot for FIU football amid rough start

For a linebacker, Travion Barnes surely knows his way to the end zone.

As a high school senior in 2021, Barnes intercepted a pass and ran it back 75 yards for a touchdown in Apopka’s 42-0 win over Ocoee.

Last week, he was one of FIU’s bright spots as he had an even longer pick-six, going 85 yards in a heartbreaking 45-42 loss to Monmouth.

On Saturday, Barnes – who is in his first year at FIU after two seasons of junior-college ball – will lead the host Panthers (1-3) against Louisiana Tech (1-2) in the Conference USA opener for both teams.

Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. (ESPN-Plus).

Barnes was a four-year starter at Apopka, an Orlando-area power.

As a sophomore, he led Apopka to the Class 8A state final, losing 21-20 to Columbus. As a senior, he helped Apopka get back to the 8A state final … only to fall 35-7 to Venice.

It was as a senior that Barnes had that first pick-six. He had actually dropped a would-be interception on the previous play, and he blamed his. gloves.

“I took off my gloves, and I tucked them inside my pants,” Barnes said. “On the next play, the ball got tipped, and I grabbed it. I was a running back in Little League, so I knew what to do.

“The only reason I stopped playing running back is that I fell in love with playing linebacker because I could be more physical.”

A lot of college football coaches fell in love with Barnes – until they found out about his grades.

“He’s a really good player and a great person,” Apopka coach Jeff Rolson told The Herald. “But, at that time, he was not in love with school.

“The, COVID happened his junior year, and he got heavier than he should’ve been. I was worried he wasn’t going to go to college at all. I was worried he wouldn’t want to leave his local friends.”

To Barnes’ credit, he did leave to junior college, playing two years at Georgia Military. He was an immediate hit there, especially as a freshman as he recorded 124 tackles; 91 solo stops; 12½ tackles for losses; five pass-breakups; four sacks; three forced fumbles and two recovered fumbles.

That got him on the radar of FIU coach Mike MacIntyre and defensive coordinator Jovan Dewitt.

Now listed at 6-0 and 225 pounds, Barnes was projected to be a backup this year as FIU returned veteran linebackers Reggie Peterson and Elijah Anderson-Taylor.

Peterson seemed especially secure as he recorded 105 tackles for FIU in 2023.

However, in FIU’s 31-7 season-opening loss to Indiana, Barnes had three tackles, and Peterson got just one.

After that game, Peterson – a team leader who was on his fifth season with FIU – shockingly quit the team. MacIntyre read a statement that said, in essence, that Peterson wanted to devote himself to his academics.

Peterson didn’t comment publicly. None of it seemed to make sense, but there’s one thing for sure:

Barnes has run with the opportunity, albeit very graciously.

“I’m surprised (Peterson quit), but I’m also really thankful to Reggie,” Barnes said. “I’m not sure what’s going on with Reggie. I just know that he helped me.

“Reggie made sure i understood everything. I’m trying to play for him as hard as I can.”

Peterson, who is still Barnes’ roommate, communicated with The Herald in a series of text messages.

“I’m still a big impact even though I’m not on the team,” Peterson said. “I still talk to the players and tell them what I see from watching games on TV. I still help out with any life situations.

“I love ‘Tray.’ We clicked instantly when he committed to FIU. I see him as my brother, and he’s going to do great things at FIU. He just needed to get his foot through the door. He’s done a great job taking everything I’ve taught him onto the field. I’m proud of him.”

After Peterson left the team, more playing time opened up for Barnes. In fact, in each of the next three games, Barnes has led FIU in tackles.

He had 13 against Central Michigan. He had 15 against Florida Atlantic, and he had nine tackles and the pick-six against Monmouth.

Barnes credits coach Dewitt for the interception against Monmouth.

“He gives us knowledge on what to do and what to look for,” Barnes said of Dewitt.

“It was fourth down and five. Because of the down and distance and the personnel on the field, I figured the quarterback was going to throw an out route.

“So, I cheated a step in that direction. Then, as soon as the quarterback went back to throw, I started breaking toward the flat.”

As the ball floated, Barnes sensed what was about to happen, but he didn’t know if this was too good to be true.

“I was thinking: ‘Am I dreaming’” Barnes said. “When I got the ball, I started running, and I was telling myself: ‘Don’t get caught! Don’t get caught!’’

Nobody caught Barnes, who said he didn’t hear the crowd at all … until after he had scored.

“I had tunnel vision,” Barnes said.

The same tunnel vision is now true about Barnes’ academics.

“When I got to (Georgia Military), I had a talk with my dad,” said Barnes, 22. “I realized the potential I have. I started applying myself. Now I have straight A’s at FIU, and I’m majoring in Liberal Studies.”

Barnes, who has one more year of college football eligibility beyond this season, said he partially regrets not applying himself academically sooner. But he’s also pleased to be where he’s at – leading FIU with 40 tackles.

However, FIU is coming off two straight disappointing losses, to rival Florida Atlantic and to Monmouth, an FCS school.

“We need to play harder,” Barnes said. “We have to keep pressing all four quarters. Don’t let up until the clock says zero.”