Michigan State football's Julian Barnett thinks he can be a play-maker at any position

Chris Solari
Detroit Free Press

EAST LANSING — Julian Barnett was not sure where he would play once the four-star recruit arrived at Michigan State football.

On defense at cornerback? Perhaps at wide receiver? On special teams units?

Turns out, it could be all three.

But for now, the freshman is immersing himself in the offense.

“I ain’t gonna say too much,” Barnett said Monday after practice with a glimmer in his eyes, “but I love offense. I love it.”

Barnett sounds like he believes he wants to be a secret weapon for an offense desperately seeking speed and explosive plays in the passing game. Coach Mark Dantonio revealed his move to wideout on the first day of practice on Aug. 1.

Michigan State's Julian Barnett runs a drill during the first practice of the season, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, in East Lansing, Mich.

Defensive coordinator Mike Tressel said the 6-foot-2, 189-pound newcomer has not spent any time at cornerback during scrimmages or team workouts, other than during individual drills and position group meetings.

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Instead, Barnett has been busy catching passes from Brian Lewerke and the other quarterbacks, using his 4.5-second 40-yard-dash speed to help an offense that failed to stretch the field vertically with consistency the past two years.

“If he's making plays you'll see a sense of happiness. That's as we want, him to be in a position to make plays,” Tressel said. “Coach (Dantonio) has said numerous times over the course of the years, ‘Use him or lose him.’”

Dantonio has a history of creating two-way players, as well as shuffling them between positions early in their careers.

Tony Lippett shuffled from offense to cornerback early in his MSU career, becoming a starter as a redshirt freshman before moving back to wide receiver. He eventually started at both positions as a senior.

Jeremy Langford arrived as a running back, move to cornerback and then receiver before returning and starring at his original position.

Daun Barnett kisses her son Julian Barnett, after he signed his letter of intent to play for Michigan State University at Belleville High School, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018. Next to them is Julian's cousin, Jamal Barnett.

MSU also has used Donnie Corley and Justin Layne as two-way players in recent years, as well as moving former linebacker Riley Bullough and defensive lineman Lawrence Thomas into the offensive backfield before they returned to defense.

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“You try to find out where they're gonna be able to get on the field now. And where they end up, who knows?” Tressel said. “I'm not worried about that. I want to see them making plays now.”

That is one thing Barnett said he loves about playing on offense: “Making plays. I love making plays.” He said he has been playing exclusively at the two outside receiver positions on offense.

“Wherever they need me, that’s where I’m gonna play,” Barnett said. “I’d seen an article where Coach D said he was gonna try and play me all over the place, so I already came with the mindset that I’ll play all over the place. And wherever they’d need me, I’m going there. If they need me on offense, I’m there. If they need me on defense and somebody goes down, I’m there. …

“I’m 100% (offense) right now. My whole mindset is on offense so I can get it down and get in and play.”

Sophomore Kalon Gervin could one day end up matched opposite Barnett, who was rated the nation’s No. 8 cornerback according to 247Sports.com. But for now, Gervin and the others in the secondary are charged with trying to stop the rookie.

“He’s fast,” Gervin said. “He’s looked good.”

As a senior at Belleville last fall, Barnett caught 22 passes for 425 yards with eight touchdowns and ran for 250 yards on 20 carries with three TDs. He also had two kick returns for scores and has been working with MSU’s punt return unit.

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“He impressed me with his intensity at gunner play on punts and ball skills back there obviously we know he has,” Tressel said. “Sometimes guys don’t walk in the door with any interest in special teams, and he has done a really good job. He’s impressed me.”

How Barnett fits into new coordinator Brad Salem’s offensive game plan remains to be seen, starting with the Aug. 30 opener against Tulsa (7 p.m., FS1).

Could it be on jet sweeps? Bubble or swing passes? Fly routes down field?

Barnett would not tip his hand. He just wants to get on the field and make an impact.

“I don’t know how excited I am, I can’t explain it,” Barnett said. “I just want to get out there and take one big old look around the stadium and see what’s going on.”

Contact Chris Solari at csolari@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrissolari. Read more on the Michigan State Spartans and sign up for our Spartans newsletter.