Kevin Barnes (American football)
Encyclopedia
Kevin Barnes is an American football
cornerback
for the Washington Redskins
of the National Football League
. He played college football
for the Maryland Terrapins
at the University of Maryland
, and was regarded as one of the top cornerback prospects for the 2009 NFL Draft
. He was selected in the third round by the Washington Redskins.
on September 15, 1986, and raised in Dunn, North Carolina, but later moved to Glen Burnie, Maryland
. Where he was raised by parents Kenneth and Debra Hilliard. He attended Old Mill High School
where he played football as a cornerback and wide receiver
. Barnes also played basketball and competed in track and field.
As a junior in 2002, he recorded ten reception
s for 222 yards and four touchdown
s. That year, he was named an Associated Press
Big School second-team all-state, Baltimore Sun honorable mention All-Met, and all-county player. As a senior in 2003, Barnes recorded 62 tackle
s, including 32 solo, three interception
s, and three broken-up passes. That year, he was named an Associated Press Big School all-state, Baltimore Sun All-Met, and Washington Post honorable mention All-Met.
Barnes was named a SuperPrep Mid-Atlantic
all-region and PrepStar all-region player. He was not highly recruited, however, and was rated a two-star prospect by Scout.com
. Duke
and Virginia
recruited him before he committed early to Maryland.
ed in 2004
and was named the defensive scout team
player of the week prior to the NC State
and Virginia Tech
games. In 2005
, he saw action in ten games, mostly on special teams. He recorded four solo tackles and a pass broken up. In 2006
, Barnes played in all 13 games including one start
, the first of his career, against . That season, he compiled 11 tackles, which included nine solo.
In 2007
, he was the first on the team in interceptions with four, second in passes broken up with nine, and fifth in tackles with 65, including 47 solo. He recorded the most interceptions by a Maryland player since Domonique Foxworth
in 2002
. After the 2007 season, the Terrapins lost three starters in the secondary
to graduation, and Barnes stepped in to assume a leadership role during his senior year.
As a fifth-year senior in 2008
, Barnes played in the first seven games before suffering a shoulder injury. He recorded two interceptions returned for 27 yards, 20 tackles including 15 solo, five passes broken up, seven passes defended, two forced fumble
s, and one blocked kick.
In the third game of the season against California
, Barnes gained notoriety for the delivery of a hard hit against running back Jahvid Best
, an early Heisman Trophy
prospect. Late in the second quarter, Cal quarterback Kevin Riley recognized Maryland was in man-to-man coverage. Since he saw there were no safeties in the middle of the field, he threw a short screen pass
to Best. Barnes, who had anticipated the play from the snap, immediately delivered a bone-jarring tackle that almost knocked off Best's helmet. While still laying on the field, Best rolled onto his side to vomit. Footage of the hit and its aftermath circulated widely on the internet and became a viral video
phenomenon that received 50,000 views on YouTube
within a week. After the game, Best said, "That's probably the hardest hit I've ever taken in my life ... It really knocked the wind out of me, and I had a little trouble breathing for the rest of the game." When asked if he felt bad about the tackle, Barnes said, "He's not permanently hurt, so I'm fine with that. Had he died or something, I'd have felt bad, but he'll probably be playing next week."
In the seventh game of the season, he used his left shoulder to hit Wake Forest
wide receiver D.J. Boldin who was attempting to catch a pass. Barnes suffered a torn glenoid labrum, fractured left scapula
, damaged rotator cuff
, and broken clavicle
. The injury ended his season, and he missed the final six games of his senior year. Barnes later remarked, "It was my last hit ... Even though I got hurt, it caused a guy to fumble. I've got to look at it that way. I still have [a] smile on my face." Despite being unable to play, Barnes remained actively involved with the Terrapins for the rest of the season and took on the role of a student coach. Secondary coach Kevin Lempa said:
Barnes received an unusually early invitation to the 2009 Senior Bowl
, on September 18, just five days after the game against California in which he tackled Best. He attended, but due to his shoulder injury, could not participate in the game.
, Barnes was selected by the Washington Redskins
in the third round as the 80th overall pick. He had participated in the 2009 NFL Combine, where he impressed scouts by scoring highly among cornerbacks in the speed and agility tests. Barnes also scored the highest grade at the combine on the Wonderlic intelligence test
with a 41 out of 50, which far exceeded the average prospect's grade of 19. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds, which was 0.06 seconds slower than the fastest time record by a cornerback. His vertical jump
of 38.5 inches was the sixth-best recorded by a cornerback. Maryland coaches reportedly told Redskins head coach Jim Zorn
that Barnes was "maybe the only guy in that league
who could run with [wide receiver Darrius] Heyward-Bey
," who recorded the fastest 40-yard dash time at the combine and was selected seventh overall in the draft.
Zorn also said, "[We were impressed] when we watched him on video, when we interviewed him and talked to people who knew him." Referring to his height and speed, he described Barnes as a leaner version of Carlos Rogers. Unlike some other NFL teams, the Redskins were not concerned about Barnes' injury, and Zorn said his shoulder "was repaired ... He's not going to have a problem at all." His mother is an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys
, the Redskins' biggest rivals. Barnes himself said, "The first team I liked was the Cowboys, so how ironic that I would go to the Redskins, but I love to be a Redskin." After summer minicamp, the Redskins signed Barnes to a four-year contract with a $782,000 signing bonus. Regarding his offseason performance, the club's executive vice president, Vinny Cerrato
, said, "It was like a light came on, so Kevin was just playing instead of thinking all the time... He had four interceptions and was really breaking on the ball." Barnes was expected to compete with Justin Tryon
for the fourth cornerback position on the depth chart.
In camp before the 2010 season, Barnes and veteran cornerback Phillip Buchanon
out-performed Tryon, who was eventually traded to the Indianapolis Colts
. At the start of the season, with Zorn replaced by Mike Shanahan
as head coach, Barnes and linebacker Brian Orakpo
were the only players retained from the 2009 draft class. In the second half against the New York Giants
, Barnes replaced Buchanon, whom coach Shanahan said "wasn't playing good enough in the first half." Barnes recorded three tackles and defended one pass in the game, which was his most extensive playing time to that point. Against the Jacksonville Jaguars
, Barnes started as a safety alongside Macho Harris
because of injuries suffered by LaRon Landry
, Kareem Moore
, and Reed Doughty
. In that game, Barnes intercepted a pass from David Garrard
in overtime
, which set up the game-winning field goal, 20–17.
Prior to the 2011 season Barnes was named as an Honarable Mention player on ESPN's list of the top 25 breakout players of the 2011 season. Multiple Depth Charts list Barnes as the starting Nickle Back and immediate back up to DeAngelo Hall. Coaches have praised Barnes for his hard work ethic and knowledge of the game.
Kevin Barnes Intercepted a pass thrown by Tony Romo on Monday Night Football in a Redskins loss (18-16) against the Dalls Cowboys.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
for the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the Maryland Terrapins
Maryland Terrapins football
The Maryland Terrapins football team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Terrapins compete within the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
at the University of Maryland
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
, and was regarded as one of the top cornerback prospects for the 2009 NFL Draft
2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
. He was selected in the third round by the Washington Redskins.
Early years
Barnes was born in Fayetteville, North CarolinaFayetteville, North Carolina
Fayetteville is a city located in Cumberland County, North Carolina, United States. It is the county seat of Cumberland County, and is best known as the home of Fort Bragg, a U.S. Army post located northwest of the city....
on September 15, 1986, and raised in Dunn, North Carolina, but later moved to Glen Burnie, Maryland
Glen Burnie, Maryland
Glen Burnie is a census-designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States, and is a suburb of Baltimore. The population was 67,639 at the 2010 census...
. Where he was raised by parents Kenneth and Debra Hilliard. He attended Old Mill High School
Old Mill High School
Old Mill Senior High School is an American public high school in Millersville, Maryland serving students in grades 9 through 12. It was occupied in 1975 and is administered by Anne Arundel County Public Schools . The school was built to alleviate over-crowding at other schools in the area...
where he played football as a cornerback and wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
. Barnes also played basketball and competed in track and field.
As a junior in 2002, he recorded ten reception
Reception (American football)
In American football, a reception is part of a play in which a forward pass from behind the line of scrimmage is received by a player in bounds, who, after the catch, proceeds to either score a touchdown or be downed. Yards gained from the receiving play are credited to the player as receiving...
s for 222 yards and four touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s. That year, he was named an Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
Big School second-team all-state, Baltimore Sun honorable mention All-Met, and all-county player. As a senior in 2003, Barnes recorded 62 tackle
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
s, including 32 solo, three interception
Interception (football)
An interception, intercept or pick is a move in many forms of football, including Canadian and American football, as well as rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules football and Gaelic football, which involves a pass, either by foot or hand, being caught by an opposition player, who usually...
s, and three broken-up passes. That year, he was named an Associated Press Big School all-state, Baltimore Sun All-Met, and Washington Post honorable mention All-Met.
Barnes was named a SuperPrep Mid-Atlantic
Mid-Atlantic States
The Mid-Atlantic states, also called middle Atlantic states or simply the mid Atlantic, form a region of the United States generally located between New England and the South...
all-region and PrepStar all-region player. He was not highly recruited, however, and was rated a two-star prospect by Scout.com
Scout.com
Scout.com is an integrated sports publishing company that produces both an Internet and print product. Scout has more than 2.1 million visitors...
. Duke
Duke Blue Devils football
The Duke Blue Devils football program is a college football team that represents Duke University . The team is currently a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference , which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The Blue Devils compete in the Coastal...
and Virginia
Virginia Cavaliers football
Virginia Cavaliers football is a college football program that competes in the NCAA Division I-FBS and the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
recruited him before he committed early to Maryland.
College career
Barnes redshirtRedshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
ed in 2004
2004 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2004 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was the Terrapins' 52nd season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference . Ralph Friedgen led the...
and was named the defensive scout team
Scout team
In sports, the scout team, also referred to as a practice team, taxi squad, practice squad or practice roster, is a group of players on a team whose task is to emulate future opponents for the featured players. Frequently used in American or Canadian Football, these teams consist of less...
player of the week prior to the NC State
2004 NC State Wolfpack football team
The 2004 NC State Wolfpack football team represented North Carolina State University during the 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team's Head Coach was Chuck Amato. N.C. State has been a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference since the league's inception in 1953...
and Virginia Tech
2004 Virginia Tech Hokies football team
The 2004 Virginia Tech Hokies football team won the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship in its inaugural year in the conference, running off a streak of eight straight wins to end the regular season after a 2-2 start. Tech finished 10th in the final Associated Press poll with a 10-3 record...
games. In 2005
2005 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2005 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was the Terrapins' 53rd season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and its first within the...
, he saw action in ten games, mostly on special teams. He recorded four solo tackles and a pass broken up. In 2006
2006 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2006 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was the Terrapins' 54th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and its second within the...
, Barnes played in all 13 games including one start
Starting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
, the first of his career, against . That season, he compiled 11 tackles, which included nine solo.
In 2007
2007 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2007 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was the Terrapins' 55th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and its third within the...
, he was the first on the team in interceptions with four, second in passes broken up with nine, and fifth in tackles with 65, including 47 solo. He recorded the most interceptions by a Maryland player since Domonique Foxworth
Domonique Foxworth
Domonique Foxworth is an American football cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
in 2002
2002 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2002 Maryland Terrapins football team represented University of Maryland in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A college football season. Led by head coach Ralph Friedgen, the Terrapins appeared in the 2002 Peach Bowl.-Regular season:...
. After the 2007 season, the Terrapins lost three starters in the secondary
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
to graduation, and Barnes stepped in to assume a leadership role during his senior year.
As a fifth-year senior in 2008
2008 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2008 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season...
, Barnes played in the first seven games before suffering a shoulder injury. He recorded two interceptions returned for 27 yards, 20 tackles including 15 solo, five passes broken up, seven passes defended, two forced fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
s, and one blocked kick.
In the third game of the season against California
2008 California Golden Bears football team
The 2008 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in the college football 2008-2009 season. They played their home games at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California and are coached by Jeff Tedford...
, Barnes gained notoriety for the delivery of a hard hit against running back Jahvid Best
Jahvid Best
Jahvid Andre Best is a running back for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was selected by the Lions with the 30th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. In college, he played for the California Golden Bears, setting several records, including most all-purpose yards in a single season and...
, an early Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
prospect. Late in the second quarter, Cal quarterback Kevin Riley recognized Maryland was in man-to-man coverage. Since he saw there were no safeties in the middle of the field, he threw a short screen pass
Screen pass
A screen pass is a type of play in American football. During a screen pass, a number of things happen concurrently in order to fool the defense into thinking a long pass is being thrown, when in fact the pass is merely a short one, just beyond the defensive linemen. Screens are usually deployed...
to Best. Barnes, who had anticipated the play from the snap, immediately delivered a bone-jarring tackle that almost knocked off Best's helmet. While still laying on the field, Best rolled onto his side to vomit. Footage of the hit and its aftermath circulated widely on the internet and became a viral video
Viral video
A viral video is one that becomes popular through the process of Internet sharing, typically through video sharing websites, social media and email...
phenomenon that received 50,000 views on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
within a week. After the game, Best said, "That's probably the hardest hit I've ever taken in my life ... It really knocked the wind out of me, and I had a little trouble breathing for the rest of the game." When asked if he felt bad about the tackle, Barnes said, "He's not permanently hurt, so I'm fine with that. Had he died or something, I'd have felt bad, but he'll probably be playing next week."
In the seventh game of the season, he used his left shoulder to hit Wake Forest
2008 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team
The 2008 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represented Wake Forest University during the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was Wake Forest's 56th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference .The Demon Deacons...
wide receiver D.J. Boldin who was attempting to catch a pass. Barnes suffered a torn glenoid labrum, fractured left scapula
Scapula
In anatomy, the scapula , omo, or shoulder blade, is the bone that connects the humerus with the clavicle ....
, damaged rotator cuff
Rotator cuff
In anatomy, the rotator cuff is the group of muscles and their tendons that act to stabilize the shoulder. The four muscles of the rotator cuff, along with the teres major muscle, the coracobrachialis muscle and the deltoid, make up the seven scapulohumeral muscles of the human body.-Function:The...
, and broken clavicle
Clavicle
In human anatomy, the clavicle or collar bone is a long bone of short length that serves as a strut between the scapula and the sternum. It is the only long bone in body that lies horizontally...
. The injury ended his season, and he missed the final six games of his senior year. Barnes later remarked, "It was my last hit ... Even though I got hurt, it caused a guy to fumble. I've got to look at it that way. I still have [a] smile on my face." Despite being unable to play, Barnes remained actively involved with the Terrapins for the rest of the season and took on the role of a student coach. Secondary coach Kevin Lempa said:
"He's another coach out there right now ... He's been such an important player for our defense for a long time, and he still wants to help as much as he can. All throughout the game in the pouring rain against NC State2008 NC State Wolfpack football teamThe 2008 NC State Wolfpack football team represented North Carolina State University during the 2008 college football season. The team's Head Coach was Tom O'Brien, who began his second season as the Wolfpack head coach with a 5-7 overall record, and a 3-5 conference record at NCSU. N.C...
, he was talking to the guys on the sideline, so he's like another coach ... We all miss having him on the field, but we're glad he's still with us in some capacity."
Barnes received an unusually early invitation to the 2009 Senior Bowl
2009 Senior Bowl
The 2009 Under Armour Senior Bowl was an all-star college football exhibition game featuring players from the 2008 college football season, and prospects for the 2009 Draft of the professional National Football League ....
, on September 18, just five days after the game against California in which he tackled Best. He attended, but due to his shoulder injury, could not participate in the game.
Washington Redskins
In the 2009 NFL Draft2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
, Barnes was selected by the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
in the third round as the 80th overall pick. He had participated in the 2009 NFL Combine, where he impressed scouts by scoring highly among cornerbacks in the speed and agility tests. Barnes also scored the highest grade at the combine on the Wonderlic intelligence test
Wonderlic Test
The Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test is a twelve-minute, fifty-question test used to assess the aptitude of prospective employees for learning and problem-solving in a range of occupations. The test was developed by industrial psychologist Eldon F. Wonderlic...
with a 41 out of 50, which far exceeded the average prospect's grade of 19. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds, which was 0.06 seconds slower than the fastest time record by a cornerback. His vertical jump
Vertical jump
A vertical jump or vertical leap is the act of raising one's center of gravity higher in the vertical plane solely with the use of one's own muscles; it is a measure of how high an individual or athlete can elevate off the ground from a standstill.-Types of vertical jump:The vertical jump is...
of 38.5 inches was the sixth-best recorded by a cornerback. Maryland coaches reportedly told Redskins head coach Jim Zorn
Jim Zorn
James Arthur "Jim" Zorn is an American quarterbacks coach in the National Football League. He was formerly the quarterbacks coach for the Baltimore Ravens and now holds that same position with the Kansas City Chiefs...
that Barnes was "maybe the only guy in that league
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
who could run with [wide receiver Darrius] Heyward-Bey
Darrius Heyward-Bey
-Oakland Raiders:During Organized Team Activities following the draft, Heyward-Bey practiced early but was plagued by multiple hamstring injuries. On July 30, 2009, the Oakland Raiders agreed to terms on a five-year deal with Heyward-Bey.-External links:***...
," who recorded the fastest 40-yard dash time at the combine and was selected seventh overall in the draft.
Zorn also said, "[We were impressed] when we watched him on video, when we interviewed him and talked to people who knew him." Referring to his height and speed, he described Barnes as a leaner version of Carlos Rogers. Unlike some other NFL teams, the Redskins were not concerned about Barnes' injury, and Zorn said his shoulder "was repaired ... He's not going to have a problem at all." His mother is an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
, the Redskins' biggest rivals. Barnes himself said, "The first team I liked was the Cowboys, so how ironic that I would go to the Redskins, but I love to be a Redskin." After summer minicamp, the Redskins signed Barnes to a four-year contract with a $782,000 signing bonus. Regarding his offseason performance, the club's executive vice president, Vinny Cerrato
Vinny Cerrato
Vinny Cerrato is the former Executive Vice President for Football Operations for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League and actor in the feature film Kindergarten Ninja.-Playing career:...
, said, "It was like a light came on, so Kevin was just playing instead of thinking all the time... He had four interceptions and was really breaking on the ball." Barnes was expected to compete with Justin Tryon
Justin Tryon
Justin Deaon Tryon is an American football cornerback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
for the fourth cornerback position on the depth chart.
In camp before the 2010 season, Barnes and veteran cornerback Phillip Buchanon
Phillip Buchanon
Phillip Darren Buchanon is an American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders 17th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
out-performed Tryon, who was eventually traded to the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
. At the start of the season, with Zorn replaced by Mike Shanahan
Mike Shanahan
Michael Edward "Mike" Shanahan is the 28th and current head coach of the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. Shanahan also holds the title of Vice President of Football Operations with the Redskins, giving him full control over player personnel with the team. Shanahan previously...
as head coach, Barnes and linebacker Brian Orakpo
Brian Orakpo
-Washington Redskins:Orakpo was drafted by the Washington Redskins 13th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. On July 31, he signed a five-year deal worth $20 million, which includes $12.1 million guaranteed...
were the only players retained from the 2009 draft class. In the second half against the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Barnes replaced Buchanon, whom coach Shanahan said "wasn't playing good enough in the first half." Barnes recorded three tackles and defended one pass in the game, which was his most extensive playing time to that point. Against the Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Barnes started as a safety alongside Macho Harris
Macho Harris
Victor "Macho" Harris, jr is an American football free agent safety of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
because of injuries suffered by LaRon Landry
LaRon Landry
LaRon Louis Landry is an American football strong safety for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Redskins sixth overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisiana State...
, Kareem Moore
Kareem Moore
Kareem Moore is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
, and Reed Doughty
Reed Doughty
Reed Doughty is an American football safety for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted in round six, pick 173 of the 2006 NFL Draft...
. In that game, Barnes intercepted a pass from David Garrard
David Garrard
David Douglas Garrard is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent.Garrard played college football at East Carolina. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft, and served as the team's starting quarterback from 2007 to 2010...
in overtime
Overtime (sports)
Overtime or extra time is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring the match a tie or draw. In most sports, this extra period is only played if the game is required to have a clear winner, as in single-elimination...
, which set up the game-winning field goal, 20–17.
Prior to the 2011 season Barnes was named as an Honarable Mention player on ESPN's list of the top 25 breakout players of the 2011 season. Multiple Depth Charts list Barnes as the starting Nickle Back and immediate back up to DeAngelo Hall. Coaches have praised Barnes for his hard work ethic and knowledge of the game.
Kevin Barnes Intercepted a pass thrown by Tony Romo on Monday Night Football in a Redskins loss (18-16) against the Dalls Cowboys.