Found this young man from a tip from a colleague. A linebacker and offensive weapon with great size, he recorded two sacks, an interception and eight tackles early in September. That clip is available on his Twitter and fully showcases the production I just laid out.

He carries more of a wide receiver or safety build, yet looks completely comfortable playing inside the box as if he were 220 pounds. That says something about his toughness. Currently on our watch list, he is likely to elevate off it in due time. There is no tape on Hudl at the time of writing, which is disappointing. I’ll need to see more production, specifically a midseason tape, before I can really value his game alongside the other 2029 Pennsylvania linebackers.

There is a low chance I’ll ever be able to see an Erie prospect live, but a live evaluation would certainly help me better understand his complete skill set. He shows great agility sidestepping incoming lead blockers and is a solid overall shedder. I’m curious if he played linebacker at the middle school level because he already looks very comfortable at the position. He is a big hit type of linebacker who wants to set the tone and create energy for his defense.

I witnessed him moving from hash to hash quicker than some of his teammates, getting ahead of traffic and making plays behind the line of scrimmage. There is a ton of excitement to be had with this type of player. I’m just waiting to see more.

Barnes stands out immediately because of his long 6-foot-2 frame and athletic build. He already shows good range when pursuing ball carriers from sideline to sideline. His length allows him to disrupt passing lanes and make tackles outside his immediate area. Despite being only 165 pounds, he displays a willingness to play physically. Coaches will likely focus on adding strength and bulk as he matures. His movement skills suggest he could become a versatile linebacker capable of covering backs and tight ends. Barnes is still early in his development, which makes his upside especially intriguing. If he continues progressing physically and technically, he could emerge as a major defensive prospect in northwestern Pennsylvania.