Blake Barnett hopes to salvage once-promising career at USF
What a long strange trip it’s been for Blake Barnett.
Former five-star quarterback Blake Barnett is now headed to USF with the hopes of salvaging his once-promising career.
Barnett was the top Elite 11 performer at the camp that features the top 11 quarterback recruits in the country and the California native had offers to several of the nation’s top programs. Barnett picked Alabama over his list of suitors where he immediately became the highest-rated recruit to play for Nick Saban.
Barnett redshirted as a freshman before starting the season opener for the Crimson Tide in 2016 against USC. He completed 5-of-6 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown but it was true freshman Jalen Hurts who impressed in his action in the opener and stole the starting job from him. Hurts ended up starting the rest of the season and taking Alabama to the National Championship Game, and again as a sophomore.
With his job lost, Barnett left Alabama in September that year and enrolled at Palomar College in his home state of California before transferring to Arizona State last year. Barnett hoped this would be the place for him to realize his great potential that made him the top quarterback recruit in his class. It didn’t work out for him as Manny Wilkins won the starting quarterback job with the Sun Devils.
So once again, Barnett was on the move and announced he’s headed to USF where he hopes the third school will be the charm for the former blue-chipper.
USF head coach Charlie Strong is looking to replace program legend Quenton Flowers who is hoping to stick on an NFL roster. USF quarterbacks on the roster Barnett will be competing with are redshirt junior Brett Kean and redshirt sophomore Chris Oladokun. On paper, Barnett is the most physically gifted among the trio but his physical ability hasn’t always translated to on-field success otherwise he wouldn’t be on his third school in as many years.
I’ll be rooting for Barnett at USF. This could be a great story to watch unfold in the fall if Barnett is able to win the job. After stops at Alabama and Arizona State, it’s not too late for Barnett to tap into his vast potential to prove his doubters wrong.