Barnes Ready to Impact Georgia Matchup

CLEMSON — Safety Khalil Barnes exploded into the world of college football last year after boasting 41 tackles and a team-high three interceptions in his first year wearing a Clemson uniform.

Now, the sophomore steps out of his rookie role and into one characterized by leadership and confidence as he begins his second year for the Tigers.

Barnes met with the media Wednesday to discuss his new role ahead of No. 14 Clemson’s season opener against his hometown team, the top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs.

Barnes expressed his gratitude for the trust his coaches gave him last year, and how that has carried over into this season.

“It’s definitely a blessing to play a year where coaches could trust me. I’ve seen things,” he said. “I’ve played more ball now, so the game slowed down. That’s probably the biggest part, just the game is slowing down and I’m seeing concepts as they unfold and I’m trusting myself.”

Last year, Barnes wore No. 36 for the Tigers. With the new season, he will be sporting a new No. 7 jersey after one of his favorite players, Tyrann Mathieu.

Mathieu, a former LSU safety and current New Orleans Saint, wore the No. 7 in his two seasons with LSU. Nicknamed the “Honey Badger,” Mathieu generated a total of 14 turnovers in only 14 starts. Barnes wants to bring the same “Honey Badger” energy to Clemson’s secondary defense.

He is off to a good start.

Last year, Barnes led the Tigers with the most forced turnovers on the team, as he added a couple of forced fumbles and returned a fumbled for a touchdown in Clemson’s win over rival South Carolina last year. It was the Tigers’ only touchdown of the game.

“[Mathieu’s] highlights speak for themselves. He’s a playmaker and I want to resemble that, I want people to have that same type of feeling,” Barnes said. “When he went out there they just knew and trusted that he was going to do something to impact that game. I want to have that same type of impact.”

Barnes’s impact will be crucial against Georgia, as the Bulldog s’ quarterback, Carson Beck, returns after having a stellar campaign in 2023.

The Tigers venture to Barnes’ home state of Georgia Saturday (Noon, ABC) to begin their season against the Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, as part of the Aflac Kickoff Classic.