BAMANEWSBOT
Staff
Blake Sims set the mold for future quarterbacks at Alabama.
Blake Barnett hopes to replace the most productive single-season passer in Crimson Tide history.
Barnett, who enrolled this month, is a five-star quarterback from Corona, California, and part of Alabamaās top-ranked recruiting class.
His signing signaled a change in philosophy for coach Nick Saban. Instead of exclusively using old-school pocket passers, Sims presented Saban with an experiment into mobile quarterbacks. Because the 2014 offense was the most productive in Alabama history, the new style remains.
Barnett, at 6-foot-4, 198 pounds, was a standout for Santiago High coach Jeff Steinberg.
āWith him being such a very high level athlete, you are not going to sign a better young man with a high work ethic,ā Steinberg said. āHe always had aspirations to play at the next level. He kept his nose to the grindstone. After the recruiting took off, he worked even harder.ā
Barnett is ranked the No. 2 pro-style quarterback in the nation, according to 247 Sports. Rivals.com, however, considers him a dual-threat quarterback.
Steinberg describes him as a modern pocket passer who can keep plays alive with his feet.
āHeās like Blake Sims or Marcus Mariota,ā Steinberg said. āHis eyes are always down field looking to complete the pass while his feet are an added weapon.ā
Barnett averaged 236.8 passing yards and 49.6 rushing yards per game in his two-plus seasons in high school. He threw 47 touchdowns and ran for 21.
His credentials and ability made Barnett a highly sought athlete. He originally committed to Notre Dame.
Saying he wanted to see others. Oregon and Alabama came into the picture, and the Crimson Tide won him over.
He and his is mother, Gina Harris, took a day trip to Tuscaloosa to see the campus. It turned into a three-day visit because Barnett liked it so much.
āHe didnāt want to stay in California and wanted to go to a great school somewhere else,ā Harris said. āHe had goals he wanted, and he made the sacrifices.ā
Barnett realized he could graduate a semester early during his junior year, and didnāt want to waste his time taking non-required classes as a senior.
āIt made sense for him to get done early at his position,ā Harris said. āHe could be there for spring ball and get going early.ā
The Crimson Tide has a lot of quarterbacks. Four are ahead of him on the roster.
Senior Jake Coker is expected to be the next starter, with Alec Morris, Cooper Bateman and David Cornwell competing for playing time.
All are prototypical pocket passers, so Barnettās skillset stands out.
āI donāt think it matters that there are so many quarterbacks,ā Steinberg said. āA school is going to bring in a new quarterback each year. He thrives on competition. He likes the ball in his hands when the game is on the line. Heās not intimidated.ā
Barnett already embraced the athleteās life on campus and is working toward showing his ability in the spring.
āHe loves it there, and heās been having a great time,ā Harris said. āHeās been so busy with football and school that I donāt get to talk to him that much.ā
Decatur DailyāContinue reading...
Blake Barnett hopes to replace the most productive single-season passer in Crimson Tide history.
Barnett, who enrolled this month, is a five-star quarterback from Corona, California, and part of Alabamaās top-ranked recruiting class.
His signing signaled a change in philosophy for coach Nick Saban. Instead of exclusively using old-school pocket passers, Sims presented Saban with an experiment into mobile quarterbacks. Because the 2014 offense was the most productive in Alabama history, the new style remains.
Barnett, at 6-foot-4, 198 pounds, was a standout for Santiago High coach Jeff Steinberg.
āWith him being such a very high level athlete, you are not going to sign a better young man with a high work ethic,ā Steinberg said. āHe always had aspirations to play at the next level. He kept his nose to the grindstone. After the recruiting took off, he worked even harder.ā
Barnett is ranked the No. 2 pro-style quarterback in the nation, according to 247 Sports. Rivals.com, however, considers him a dual-threat quarterback.
Steinberg describes him as a modern pocket passer who can keep plays alive with his feet.
āHeās like Blake Sims or Marcus Mariota,ā Steinberg said. āHis eyes are always down field looking to complete the pass while his feet are an added weapon.ā
Barnett averaged 236.8 passing yards and 49.6 rushing yards per game in his two-plus seasons in high school. He threw 47 touchdowns and ran for 21.
His credentials and ability made Barnett a highly sought athlete. He originally committed to Notre Dame.
Saying he wanted to see others. Oregon and Alabama came into the picture, and the Crimson Tide won him over.
He and his is mother, Gina Harris, took a day trip to Tuscaloosa to see the campus. It turned into a three-day visit because Barnett liked it so much.
āHe didnāt want to stay in California and wanted to go to a great school somewhere else,ā Harris said. āHe had goals he wanted, and he made the sacrifices.ā
Barnett realized he could graduate a semester early during his junior year, and didnāt want to waste his time taking non-required classes as a senior.
āIt made sense for him to get done early at his position,ā Harris said. āHe could be there for spring ball and get going early.ā
The Crimson Tide has a lot of quarterbacks. Four are ahead of him on the roster.
Senior Jake Coker is expected to be the next starter, with Alec Morris, Cooper Bateman and David Cornwell competing for playing time.
All are prototypical pocket passers, so Barnettās skillset stands out.
āI donāt think it matters that there are so many quarterbacks,ā Steinberg said. āA school is going to bring in a new quarterback each year. He thrives on competition. He likes the ball in his hands when the game is on the line. Heās not intimidated.ā
Barnett already embraced the athleteās life on campus and is working toward showing his ability in the spring.
āHe loves it there, and heās been having a great time,ā Harris said. āHeās been so busy with football and school that I donāt get to talk to him that much.ā
Decatur DailyāContinue reading...
