Barnes ready for expanded role with Sooners
NORMAN — Robert Barnes was never going to back away from the challenge.
Barnes arrived over the summer still recovering from the effects of a broken leg suffered halfway through his senior season at Southlake (Texas) Carroll.
Now, just more than a year after the injury, there’s a good chance Barnes earns his first career start Saturday when No. 5 Oklahoma hosts No. 6 TCU (7 p.m., Fox) in what amounts to the Sooners’ second consecutive College Football Playoff elimination game.
“It’s definitely been a dream come true,” Barnes said recently about playing for Oklahoma. “I’ve had to battle a few injuries, but I’m back on track and it’s definitely been a blessing this whole time.”
He’d been prepared for this moment for a long time by his father, former Sooners linebacker Reggie Barnes.
Reggie coached Robert’s team — the Junior Sooners — when Robert was growing up.
“My practices back then were like it was a college practice,” Reggie said. “It was compartmentalized and you learned what that position does and then you moved on to the next position-type deal.
“He’s just a football player that will find a way on the field. One way or another, he will find a spot that he can contribute.”
Father and son stay in contact nearly daily, with Robert drawing off his dad’s experiences both at OU and in the NFL.
“He’s super supportive,” Robert Barnes said. “He’s been calling me every day asking me how practice has been. He helped me with some of the small stuff, whether it be how to deal with the coaches or anything like that. He’s been probably my No. 1 supporter in all of this.”
When Robert suffered a hamstring injury early in the season, he had to draw on the experiences of last year.
“When I went through what I went through in high school, it definitely taught me that when you’re in a situation like that, you’ve got to keep working and stay focused to get back where you were and even work harder to be better than you were before.”
When Will Johnson was ejected for targeting in the second half of last week’s Bedlam game, Barnes got an even bigger opportunity.
He eventually pulled down an interception of Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph as time expired to put away the win.
“Pretty impressive, to overcome those two things,” Sooners coach Lincoln Riley said of Barnes’ injuries. “His development’s been good. He’s a mature kid. He’s a smart player for being as young as he is, and he’s gifted as well. He’s got a chance to be a really good one. I think it was big for him to get in and make some plays the other night (in Bedlam).”
With Johnson sitting out the first half of the TCU game, Barnes figures to have another chance at an expanded role.
“Robert is going to do a fantastic job,” starting safety Steven Parker said. “He’s already up-to-date with everything.
“All he’s going to do is keep on adding things.”