Transfer Barnett is making impression for Tigers
Julian Barnett followed Grant Gunnell’s eyes and stopped before jumping and grabbing a one-handed interception during Memphis’ preseason football scrimmage Saturday.
The highlight stood out in the oneminute clip the Tigers’ football Twitter account released Monday. It also was a reminder of Barnett’s introduction to fans in the spring game with an interception.
During an interview after the practice, the sophomore cornerback yelled, “Julian Barnett is here!” The brash welcome made it easy to forget he had been on campus for three months.
So why is the Michigan State transfer turning heads with his play? Maybe it’s his personality and presence.
“He brought another energy that we need in the back end,” cornerback Jacobi Francis said. “He talks just like me. He has fun out there. He brings the swag. Everything that I have myself, he just added.”
Barnett didn’t adjust to Memphis right away. During his first practice, somebody told him to pick his energy up. He also found the Tigers’ playbook harder to grasp.
“Here, we run an Nfl-type defense so I have to stay in the book a lot more than I used to at Michigan State," Barnett said. “Now that I’m staying in the playbook, it’s helping me learn the plays and formations and recognize stuff that’s going on in the field.”
Despite being a four-star defensive back recruit out of Belleville High School in Michigan, he played wide receiver as a freshman in 2019. When Michigan State hired coach Mel Tucker to take over for Mark Dantonio in the offseason, he was moved to cornerback.
In six games last season, he started once at nickelback but was mostly used on special teams. In December, he and teammate Devontae Dobbs, who also played at Belleville, transferred to Memphis.
“Memphis, there are more kids like me, and I love it,” Barnett said. “When I say like me, I mean kids who was always overlooked and knew that they can do more off the field and on the field. Now that I see that everybody here is on the same thing, it’s bringing me closer to them.”
Tigers defensive backs coach Charles Clark said settling at one position has made Barnett look much more comfortable and effective. It's also a position his high school coach Jermain Crowell thinks will lead to a bright future.
“A 6-foot-2 wide receiver is only worth so much money. A 6-foot-2 corner is worth a lot more,” Crowell said.
“He's a big athlete, he's not afraid to tackle, got great ball skills. I would think his skill set translates better on defense.”
He's also not afraid to challenge his new teammates. At AAC Media Day, wide receiver Calvin Austin III said Barnett was one of the few teammates who could come close to his speed but not match it.
Three days later, Barnett called him out on Twitter for a race. It didn't matter that Austin is a former All-american on the Tigers' 4x400 relay team or that Barnett never ran track, according to Crowell.
It was another sign of his bold attitude and not turning down a challenge. It also has Francis — and the Tigers — excited what he'll bring this season.
"You saw (Memphis football's) tweet saying we're the 1-2 punch," said Francis, referring to his No. 1 jersey and Barnett's No. 2. "So if you see both of us on the field together, just know something exciting is about to happen."