Tag: Khalil Barnes

Best Photos: Clemson football keeps season alive with late Week 12 rally at Pitt

View the best images from Clemson’s thrilling 24-20 late road win over PItt.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers survived a would-be second-half collapse and rallied late for a 24-20 victory over the Pitt Panthers Saturday at Acrisure Stadium, formerly Heinz Field.

Clemson (8-2, 7-1) had coughed up a 17-7 halftime lead and trailed 20-17 after Ben Sauls’ 47-yard field goal put Pitt ahead for the first time all afternoon with 1:36 to play in the game.

That’s when Cade Klubnik gashed the Panthers. After Clemson took over at its 25 on the next series, Klubnik hit Antonio Williams for 18 yards and a first down to the 43, then found tight end Jake Briningstool for seven more to put the Tigers at midfield.

Klubnik then dropped back, called his own number, veered right and went the distance for a 50-yard touchdown run that gave Clemson the lead with 1:16 left. The Tigers’ quarterback drove/wheeled his team 75 yards on three plays that took only 20 seconds.

Pitt backup quarterback Nate Yarnell drove the Panthers (7-3) to the Clemson 26-yard line before Khalil Barnes made a game-ending interception near the goal line to seal the victory and keep the Tigers’ College Football Playoff hopes alive.

Clemson needs the ACC leading SMU Mustangs (9-1, 6-0) to drop its final two games or the Miami Hurricanes (9-1, 5-1) to lose to either Wake Forest or Syracuse for the Tigers to get to the ACC Championship Game in Charlotte on Dec. 7.

Here are some of the best photos from Clemson’s thrilling 24-20 Week 12 victory over the Pitt Panthers.

Seven Clemson Tigers make list of Top 150 college football players for 2024 season

Barrett Carter and Peter Woods were the two highest-ranked Clemson players on CBS Sports’ list, which also included T.J. Parker, Demonte Capehart, Phil Mafah, Khalil Barnes and Blake Miller.

CBS Sports unveiled its rankings of the Top 151 college football players entering the 2024 season Monday. Seven Clemson players made the list.

As with ESPN’s rankings last week, senior linebacker Barrett Carter was the Tigers’ top-ranked player at No. 24 overall. Carter ranked one spot ahead of Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison and one spot below Ole Miss receiver Tre Harris on CBS Sports’ list.

College football analyst Blake Brockermeyer said of Carter:

“A versatile three-down ‘backer who likes to play in the opponent’s backfield, Barrett is an explosive and high-ceiling talent who has enormous potential and upside as a former 5-star recruit. A converted high school safety prospect, Carter has the ability to match up vs. tight ends and backs in coverage and did not allow a touchdown last season. He missed too many tackles, 12, last season in the box and can do a better job of finishing in the run game. Cleaning that up is likely a big reason he returned for his senior season. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is gone, now it’s Carter’s turn to be the star of Clemon’s defense.”

ESPN had Carter ranked as the No. 15 overall player in college football. The Peach State native has been named to various preseason All-America teams and award watch lists, including the Butkus Award, the Bednarik Award and the Wuerffel Trophy.

In three seasons with the Tigers, Carter is credited with 170 tackles (21 for loss), nine sacks, 15 pass breakups, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 38 games.

Carter was the highest-ranked ACC player on CBS Sports’ list, which also included defensive tackle Peter Woods (No. 76 overall), defensive lineman T.J. Parker (No. 78), defensive tackle Demonte Capehart (No. 98), running back Phil Mafah (No. 109), safety Khalil Barnes (No. 116) and offensive tackle Blake Miller (No. 138).

Woods has been on various preseason All-America teams and watch lists, including the Bednarik Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy.

CBS Sports ranked Colorado cornerback Travis Hunter the No. 1 overall player in the nation entering the 2024 season.

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Clemson safety ranked as one of college football’s 10 most underrated players for 2024

Khalil Barnes is one of college football’s most underrated players.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program have one of the most underrated players in college football in their secondary. 

247Sports recently named the 10 most underrated players in college football heading into the 2024 season, with Clemson safety Khalil Barnes among their choices. Heading into his sophomore season, Barnes is one of the Tigers’ most important players on the defense and someone who could be the Tigers’ best player in the secondary. 

Khalil Barnes earned Freshman All-American honors last season, but could soon become a household name around the ACC. The Clemson safety is the first player in the Dabo Swinney era to record multiple forced fumbles and snag multiple interceptions as a freshman. Barnes finished with three each during the 2023 campaign while making 38 total tackles, including five for loss with a sack. He rated as a high three-star prospect coming out of high school, which made his instant impact somewhat of a surprise. However, Barnes’ disruptive style of play will be expected in 2024 as he tries to help Clemson get back on top in the ACC.

Clemson standout Khalil Barnes changes his number

Clemson freshman standout Khalil Barnes has made a number change.

As players depart from any football program, it leaves an opportunity for those who remain to make a change to the number they will wear.

Khalil Barnes, a standout freshman for the Tigers in the 2023 season, will no longer be wearing No.36. Barnes will now be wearing No.7, a clean switch for safety.

In 2023, veteran defensive end Justin Mascoll was wearing the No.7, but Mascoll has graduated and moved on from the program. With his departure, the Tigers’ freshman All-American in the secondary gets the number he was waiting for.

Barnes should be a key piece of the Tigers’ defense in 2024, with expectations that he will be even better with another year of experience.

Three Tigers earn Freshman All-American honors

Clemson’s freshman class was one of the best in the country in 2023.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson coaching staff did a phenomenal job recruiting their 2023 class, with multiple true freshmen having a tremendous impact on their team. 

On Tuesday, three of these Tigers were recognized by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) as they announced their 2023 Freshman All-America Team. Of the 32 members, the Tigers and Georgia led the way with three selections. 

Peter Woods was the Tigers’ top recruit in the class, and he played like it. The defensive tackle was credited with 27 tackles (2.5 for loss) and a forced fumble in 307 snaps over 12 games (two starts). He was a force inside for the Tigers. 

T.J. Parker, on the other hand, was the Tigers’ top-edge rusher this season as a true freshman. Parker was credited with 41 tackles (12.5 for loss), 5.5 sacks, two pass breakups, and a fumble recovery in 457 snaps over 13 games (three starts). His 12.5 tackles for loss in 2023 broke Clemson’s true freshman record (12.0 by Myles Murphy in 2020) and tied for the national lead among freshmen.

In the secondary, safety Khalil Barnes was a massive contributor. Barens was the first Clemson player in the Dabo Swinney era to record multiple forced fumbles and multiple interceptions in a freshman season. In 2023, he was credited with 41 tackles (5.0 for loss), six pass breakups, a team-high three interceptions, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery (which he returned 42 yards for a touchdown) in 499 snaps over 13 games (seven starts). 

Below is a look at the full list of freshman All-Americans.

OFFENSE (13)

QB Noah Fifita, Arizona (5-11, 195, RFr., Huntington Beach, Calif.)
RB Jalen Buckley, Western Michigan (5-11, 210, RFr., Aurora, Ill.)
RB Makhi Hughes, Tulane (5-11, 205, RFr., Birmingham, Ala.)
WR Nic Anderson, Oklahoma (6-4, 207, RFr., Katy, Texas)
WR Pofele Ashlock, Hawaii (6-2, 175, Fr., Euless, Texas)
WR Eric Singleton Jr., Georgia Tech (5-11, 173, Fr., Douglasville, Ga.)
WR Eugene Wilson III, Florida (5-10, 170, Fr., Tampa, Fla.)
TE Arlis Boardingham, Florida (6-3, 248, RFr., Van Nuys, Calif.)
T Earnest Greene III, Georgia (6-4, 320, RFr., Los Angeles, Calif.)
T Francis Mauigoa, Miami (6-6, 330, Fr., Ili’ili, American Samoa)
G Cayden Green, Oklahoma (6-5, 316, Fr., Lee’s Summit, Mo.)
G Shadre Hurst, Tulane (6-2, 305, RFr., Cartersville, Ga.)
C Parker Brailsford, Washington (6-2, 275, Mesa, Ariz.)

DEFENSE (14)

DL Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (6-3, 270, Fr., Miami, Fla.)
DL TJ Bush, Liberty (6-2, 255, Fr., Woodridge, Va.)
DL Nate Johnson, App State (6-5, 230, Fr., Gaffney, S.C.)
DL T.J. Parker, Clemson (6-3, 255, Fr., Phenix City, Ala.)
DL Peter Woods, Clemson (6-2, 315, Fr., Alabaster, Ala.)
LB CJ Allen, Georgia (6-1, 235, Fr., Barnesville, Ga.)
LB Anthony Hill, Texas (6-3, 234, Fr., Denton, Texas)
LB Ben Roberts, Texas Tech (6-3, 230, RFr., Haslet, Texas)
LB Cade Uluave, California (6-1, 230, Fr., South Jordan, Utah)
CB D’Angelo Ponds, James Madison (5-9, 162, Fr., West Park, Fla.)
CB Raion Strader, Miami (Ohio) (6-0, 180, Fr., Pittsburgh, Pa.)
S Khalil Barnes, Clemson (6-0, 195, Fr., Athens, Ga.)
S Caleb Downs, Alabama, 6-0 (203, Fr., Hoschton, Ga.)
S Dillon Thieneman, Purdue (6-0, 205, Fr., Westfield, Ind.)

SPECIALISTS (5)

K Peyton Woodring, Georgia (5-10, 175, Fr., Lafayette, La.)
P Ryan Eckley, Michigan State (6-2, 205, RFr., Lithia, Fla.)
KR DeAndre Buchannon, Georgia Southern (5-11, 175, Fr., Atlanta, Ga.)
PR Zacharia Branch, USC (5-10, 175, Fr., Las Vegas, Nev.)
AP Kevin “KC” Concepcion, NC State (5-11, 187, Fr., Charlotte, N.C.)

Schools: Clemson 3, Georgia 3, Florida 2, Miami 2, Oklahoma 2, Tulane 2, Alabama 1, App State 1, Arizona 1, California 1, Georgia Southern 1, Georgia Tech 1, Hawaii 1, James Madison 1, Liberty 1, Miami (Ohio) 1, Michigan State 1, NC State 1, Purdue 1, Texas 1, Texas Tech 1, USC 1, Washington 1, Western Michigan 1.

Conferences: ACC 7, SEC 6, Big 12 4, Pac-12 4, Sun Belt 3, American Athletic 2, Big Ten 2, Mid-American 2, CUSA 1, Mountain West 1, Independents 0.

True Freshmen: 22; Redshirt Freshmen: 10.

Three Clemson defenders named 247Sports true freshman All-Americans

Clemson’s 2023 recruiting class was stacked, with three defenders earning 247Sports True Freshman All-American honors.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson coaching staff did something really, really well throughout 2022-2023. They recruited one of the best 2023 classes in all of college football, and it showed this season with the tremendous play of this freshman class. 

All over the field and on both sides of the ball, we saw true freshmen step up and play some excellent football for this program. While many wanted the Tigers to soak up talent in the portal, Swinney opted to let this freshman class prove their worth, and they did that and then some. 

Three Tigers freshmen, in particular, stood out the most. Three Clemson defenders made 247Sports’ true freshman All-America team on Tuesday.

Here is a look at each of those three and what writer Chris Hummer had to say about them.

Khalil Barnes and Jonathan Weitz earn ACC Player of the Week Honors

Two Tigers were excellent against South Carolina, earning ACC Player of the Week honors.

CLEMSON, S.C. — The Atlantic Coast Conference announced today that Clemson safety Khalil Barnes (Defensive Back of the Week) and placekicker Jonathan Weitz (Special Teams Player of the Week) have both earned ACC Player of the Week honors in their respective categories for their performances in Clemson’s 16-7 rivalry win against South Carolina on Saturday.

The pair of selections pushes Clemson’s total number of ACC weekly honors this season to 13. Clemson has garnered a total of 578 ACC weekly honors since 1968.

The selections are the first in the careers of both Barnes and Weitz. Barnes becomes Clemson’s second Defensive Back of the Week selection this year and its second in the last two weeks, joining Nate Wiggins’ accolade for his performance against North Carolina a week earlier. Weitz becomes Clemson’s second Special Teams Player of the Week this season following punter Aidan Swanson’s honor for his work against Notre Dame in early November.

Against South Carolina, Barnes posted four tackles, two pass breakups, a 42-yard fumble return touchdown and one interception. Barnes recorded the fumble return and the interception on back-to-back offensive plays by South Carolina on the Gamecocks’ second and third plays of the game, becoming the first Clemson player to record a takeaway on consecutive plays from scrimmage since Brian Dawkins against Duke in 1995.

Barnes became the first Clemson player with a fumble recovery and an interception in the same game since Dorian O’Daniel at Virginia Tech in 2017. It marked the first time a Clemson player had two takeaways in a game since Andrew Booth Jr. recorded two interceptions on the same field in a win against South Carolina in 2021. Barnes became only the second FBS player — and the only FBS freshman — to record three or more interceptions, multiple forced fumbles and a scoop-and-score this season.

Weitz finished 3-for-3 on field goals to account for the final margin of victory in Clemson’s nine-point win over its rival. He converted field goal attempts of 50, 49 and 42 yards after entering the evening with a career long of 41. His three field goals of 40-plus yards tied a school record, shared by Bob Paulling (vs. North Carolina in 1982), Nelson Welch (vs. NC State in 1991), Mark Buchholz (vs. Wake Forest in 2007) and Chandler Catanzaro (vs. Troy in 2011).

Weitz’ career-long 50-yard field goal in the first quarter was Clemson’s longest field goal since a 52-yarder by B.T. Potter in the 2022 ACC Championship Game. The 50-yarder came in the same stadium as the first 50-yard field goal in Clemson history, a 52-yarder by Eddie Seigler against South Carolina in 1971.

–Via Clemson Athletic Communications

Former Tiger Eric Mac Lain on Clemson’s ‘absolute stud’ true freshman safety

This Clemson freshman has been on a tear, and former Tiger Eric Mac Lain has taken notice.

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.

Gallery: Clemson tops South Carolina, celebrates at Williams-Brice Stadium

Check out the best photos from Clemson’s road win over South Carolina on Saturday night.

Clemson defeated South Carolina 16-7 at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday, and the Tigers understandably were happy to celebrate the rivalry win.

In the nine-point victory, Clemson’s defense was the story of the game, as it held South Carolina to 169 total yards and seven points while forcing two turnovers. While the Tigers’ offense struggled to earn points, the defense came up clutch when it mattered, with true freshman defensive back Khalil Barnes recording both takeaways, including a 42-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the first quarter.

With the win, the Tigers reclaimed the Palmetto Bowl Trophy and moved their all-time record versus the Gamecocks to 73-43-4.

Here are some of the best photos from the game:

Halftime Report: Clemson leads South Carolina 13-7 in a defensive battle

Clemson leads South Carolina at the half in a game highlighted by defense.

Dabo Swinney and Clemson are in a close one Saturday night as the Tigers lead South Carolina 13-7 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia.

The game has been highlighted by defense, as both Clemson’s and South Carolina’s offenses have dominated. While the defenses have been playing great football, the offenses have been incredibly underwhelming.

Clemson’s only touchdown came on a 42-yard scoop and score to the house by freshman Khalil Barnes. On the Gamecocks’ next offensive play, Barnes picked off Rattler on a deep ball from South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler. South Carolina scored on a 1-yard Luke Doty touchdown run.

Both starting quarterbacks have struggled, with Cade Klubnik completing 8-15 for 32 yards and Rattler completing 7-14 for 34 yards and an interception. It has not been a fun offensive night.

The game’s biggest story comes from kicker Jonathan Weitz, who has hit a 49-yard and 50-yard field goal tonight. Weitz has come up huge from 1-7 on the season to two huge kicks.