What Happened to Blake Barnett?
Hey there, football fans, let’s dive into the wild ride that is Blake Barnett’s football career. Buckle up, folks – this one’s got alot of twists and turns! Ever wonder what happened to that hotshot quarterback Blake Barnett? You know, the guy who was supposed to be the next big thing at Alabama?
Blake Barnett High School Career
Man, oh man, was Blake Barnett a big deal back in high school! This kid was throwing touchdowns like crazy. We’re talking over 2,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in back-to-back seasons at Santiago High in Corona, California. Pretty sick, right?
But here’s the kicker – Barnett wasn’t just about the wins. Nah, this dude was all about growth. He once said that caring about losses more than wins was where the real progress happened. Many believed him to have a relatively mature outlook for a teenager.
So, naturally, every college coach wanted a piece of Barnett. He was a 5-star recruit, the cream of the crop. And where did he end up? Only at freakin’ Alabama, playing for the GOAT himself, Nick Saban. It seemed like the start of a fairy tale, didn’t it?
The Fall: Challenges and Setbacks at Alabama
Well, hold on a moment, ’cause this is where things get interesting. Barnett actually started Alabama’s first game in 2016 against USC. He was living the dream! But faster than you can say “Roll Tide,” a freshman named Jalen Hurts swooped in and stole the show.
Before you knew it, Barnett was warming the bench, watching Hurts lead the team to a 4-0 start. Talk about a gut punch, right? I mean, can you imagine being the chosen one one minute, and then… You’re yesterday’s news.
So, what did our boy Barnett do? He decided to transfer. Yep, he transferred out of Alabama faster than a Tuscaloosa tornado. Some folks called him a quitter, others said he was taking control of his destiny. Either way, it was a bold move.
Blake Barnett’s College Football Career
Next stop for Barnett? Arizona State University. Thanks to the NCAA rules in place, Blake needed to leave abruptly to secure playing eligibility for the next season.
After leaving Alabama and prior to transferring to Arizona State, Barnett immediately enrolled at Palomar College, which made him eligible to play for Arizona State in 2017. However, he was expected to be ineligible for the first four games of the 2017 season because he transferred from Alabama after four games into the 2016 season. Barnett appealed to the NCAA for immediate eligibility and on January 31, 2017, the NCAA ruled in favor of Barnett.
Barnett struggled to find his groove with the Sun Devils. Before long, he found himself benched again, this time in favor of a guy named Manny Wilkins. It was like déjà vu all over again.
But our boy Blake didn’t give up. He kept pushing, kept grinding. On April 25, 2018, it was reported that Barnett intended to transfer from Arizona State. Barnett reportedly informed Arizona State his intention to transfer soon after the Arizona State spring game held on April 13.
On May 8, 2018, it was widely reported that Barnett was transferring to the University of South Florida. On May 18, 2018, USF announced the addition of Barnett as a graduate transfer.
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Blake Barnett College Statistics
| Year | Team | CMP | ATT | CMP% | YDS | TDs | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | ALA | 11 | 19 | 57.9 | 219 | 2 | 0 |
| 2017 | ASU | 3 | 5 | 60.0 | 40 | 0 | 1 |
| 2018 | USF | 214 | 350 | 61.1 | 2,705 | 12 | 11 |
| 2019 | USF | 40 | 77 | 51.9 | 434 | 4 | 2 |
Statistically, Blake did remarkably better with the Bulls but after season ending injury in 2019 and not being eligible for the NFL draft, he decided to just walk away. There was the option to medical redshirt for the remainder of the season but maybe mentally he just needed space from the game.
Considering the constant obstacles throughout his collegiate career, it makes sense.
Is Blake Barnett Still Playing Football?
As of 2024, Blake Barnett is no longer actively playing professional football. His journey through various leagues and teams came to an end following his time with the USF Bulls in 2019. While the specifics of his retirement from active play are not widely publicized, it appears that Barnett has transitioned his focus to pursuits outside of professional football.
This transition marks the end of a football career that, while not following the trajectory many had initially predicted, showcased Barnett’s resilience and adaptability in the face of numerous challenges. His decision to step away from the game likely came after careful consideration of his experiences, opportunities, and future aspirations.
Life After Football for Blake Barnett
At this point, you gotta wonder if Barnett was feeling like the universe had it out for him. In recent podcast interviews, he’s been pretty open about the mental health challenges he faced during his football career. It takes guts to talk about that stuff, especially for a former athlete.
On a positive note, Barnett did graduated from the University of south Florida with a business degree and decided to but the business education to good use.
Barnett started a BBQ business that seems to be a huge passion in his life along with family until this day.
Considering that Blake Barnett is all about growth and resilience, he’s taken all those lessons from his football journey and applied them to his life off the field.
Lessons Learned from Blake Barnett’s Story
So, what can we learn from Blake Barnett’s wild ride? A whole heck of a lot, if you ask me.
First off, life doesn’t always go according to plan. Barnett was supposed to be the next big thing at Alabama, but sometimes the universe has other ideas. The key is how you handle those curveballs.
Secondly, mental health is no joke, especially in high-pressure situations like college and pro sports. Barnett’s openness about his struggles is a big deal, and it’s helping to break down stigmas in the sports world.
And lastly, success isn’t always about touchdowns and trophies. Sometimes, it’s about finding your path, even if it’s not the one everyone expected you to take.
So, what happened to Blake Barnett? Life happened. Dreams shifted. And a young man found his way – just not on the football field like we all thought.
In the end, Barnett’s story isn’t about failing to reach the pinnacle of football success. It’s about resilience, adaptability, and redefining what success means. And in my book, that’s worth more than any Heisman Trophy.
Who knows? Maybe Blake Barnett’s greatest touchdown is yet to come – just not on a football field. And isn’t that what life’s all about? Finding your own end zone, wherever that may be.
