Barnett busts out
It's been a long time since anybody's heard a thing from Lakewood, Calif., running back John Barnett Jr.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pounder has been through a lot, though, especially after experiencing a coaching change. But the explosive running back has endured and made the most out of a chance to excel at Saturday's NIKE Training Camp at the University of Southern California.
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"I felt good, and I felt like I did the best that I could do," Barnett, who time in the 4.5-second range in the 40-yard dash, said.
"I liked what the coaches were saying to me. They gave me a compliment every time I did something right and they worked with me and coached me when I did something wrong."
Barnett, who is related to NFL players John and Fred Barnett, exploded onto the scene midway through his junior season as a multiple threat at running back, receiver and on special teams.
He ended up rushing for 722 yards on 98 carries and six touchdowns. He also had 19 receptions for 255 yards and three additional scores. He also averaged 24 yards a kickoff return and 25 yards on punt returns with longs of 84 and 50 yards.
Barnett displayed some of that explosiveness on Saturday in the one-on-one drills where he said he burned several with his explosive speed.
"In the one-on-ones with the linebackers, I did really well," he said. "That's what I think I did the best in. I kept burning people on the out-and-up. I toasted the guys."
Barnett does not have any scholarship offers, yet, but he said that's mainly because he's still not gotten his test results and NCAA Clearinghouse taken care of.
But teams do continue to send him regular mail and tell him that they will be by school to see him this spring.
"I still like Cal," he said. "They're always going to be up there. Fresno State, Oregon, Oregon State, Boise State, Arizona State and Washington are all sending me stuff. I'm excited about seeing what will happen for me."
Barnett's teammate, Josh Sanchez, also looked good on Saturday. He had 27 receptions for 431 yards as a junior.
Sanchez, who is in the 5-10 and 160 pound range, said Fresno State, Arizona State, Arizona, Cal, Washington, Washington State and Oregon have all been sending him mail.
"Arizona State has been sending me some hand-written letters, so to me that means they're recruiting me the hardest," Sanchez said.