A weekly occurrence for the ACC Network’s ACC Huddle show is the crew making their picks for “game balls”, awarded to players who were standouts in their team’s matchups.
Former Tiger Eric Mac Lain gave his game ball to Clemson true freshman safety Khalil Barnes, who was unbelievable in the Tigers’ 16-7 win over South Carolina. Barnes made a beautiful heads-up play on the Gamecocks’ first drive, taking a 42-yard fumble recovery to the house. On the next South Carolina play, Barnes picked off South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler on a deep ball.
“Khalil Barnes from Jump Street, taking this thing to the crib. Great heads up play here by the true freshman,” Mac Lain said of Barnes’ touchdown. “Coach Dabo Swinney said in the spring game, this dude was going to be an absolute stud. One play later, he picks it off gives Clemson the ball.”
“This dude is freaky,” added Mac Lain, who joined ACCN in 2019 after playing for Clemson from 2011-15. “Gonna be a leader for years to come.”
Barnes showed exactly what he is capable of and more on Saturday, and it was fun for Tigers’ fans to see the program’s future playing so well. Barnes was a major reason the Tigers walked away from Columbia with a rivalry game win.