Tag: Khalil Barnes

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.

Khalil Barnes’ scoop and score gives Clemson an early lead over South Carolina

Clemson takes advantage of a huge South Carolina mistake early.

Clemson freshman Khalil Barnes made an excellent heads-up play that handed Clemson an early 7-0 lead over the South Carolina Gamecocks.

On the second play of the game, Barnes saw a backward pass hit the ground and heard no whistle. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Barnes picked up the ball and took it 42 yards to the house for a touchdown. It was a beautiful heads-up play from the freshman.

Barnes’ early impact wouldn’t stop there. On the next offensive play, Barnes picked off Rattler on a deep ball, climbing the ladder to make a play. It has been an excellent start for the Tigers, and it has been fueled by Khalil Barnes.

5 Clemson players to watch closely vs. Georgia Tech

Here are five Clemson players to keep a close eye on ahead of the Tigers’ mathcup with Georgia Tech on Saturday.

Clemson and Georgia Tech are set to face off in Memorial Stadium at noon on Saturday, and there are several Tigers whom fans should keep a close eye on throughout the game.

Coming into Saturday, both Clemson (5-4) and Georgia Tech (5-4) are looking to win a sixth game and become bowl-eligible.

The Tigers are coming off their best win of the season last week, a 31-23 victory over Notre Dame. Meanwhile, the Yellow Jackets have won their last two games against North Carolina and Virginia.

That said, here are five Clemson players to watch closely on Saturday:

Clemson statistical leaders through eight games

Who scares you most on the Tigers?

This hasn’t been the season Clemson or any outsiders envisioned. While not everyone was anticipating another national championship, it’s doubtful anyone expected that by this point, the Tigers wouldn’t even been receiving votes in polls. A bowl isn’t out of the realm of possibility, but if November is a very bad month for the Tigers, it’s probable they’ll be watching bowl season at home. Talk about dropping off.

All of that said, there still is some talent on this Tigers team, especially on defense. If anything, these players are remnants of a time in the recent past when the Tigers were feared. Many might have picked Notre Dame to lose Saturday’s game at the start of the season, but that no longer is a certainty. This is why you play the games though: You never know what can happen.

Here are the Tigers most likely to have an impact when they face the Irish: