ISU recruit getting what he’d hoped for in Big 12

AMES - Playing in the Big 12 Conference has been quarterback Jared Barnett's dream for as long as he can remember.

“That's big time football,” Barnett said. “The Big 12 is where playmakers want to be.”

It's where Barnett will call home starting next season once he officially accepts Iowa State's scholarship offer today on college football's national signing day. The Cyclones are expecting to add about 25 players.

Barnett is not the only member of his team - or family - joining one of college football's most competitive conferences.

Three of his Garland (Texas) High School teammates will sign with Big 12 schools. Barnett's cousin, Eryon, is a freshman defensive back at Texas. And Eryon Barnett's brother is being pursued by Big 12 schools for next year's recruiting class.

They all played on the same youth football teams and remain close.

“(The Big 12) is kind of in our family,” said Barnett, who had offers from Kansas State and Houston.

The 6-1, 200-pounder was the first member of ISU Coach Paul Rhoads' first true recruiting class, and the only quarterback. He announced in May.

“I love the offense,” he said. “It's the same offense we run at my high school. It's going to be an easy transition.”

Rated by Rivals.com as the 27th best dual threat quarterback in the nation, Barnett passed for more than 2,100 yards as a senior and had 20 touchdowns to just six interceptions. He ran for almost 400 yards and six more scores.

Barnett most likely will red-shirt and be in the same position Cyclone quarterback Jerome Tiller was last fall.

Tiller, a red-shirt freshman, was given the chance to win the starting job but lost out to veteran Austen Arnaud. Like Arnaud, he'll be an experienced junior when Barnett realistically can compete for the spot.

“Let the best man win,” Barnett said. “That's a very exciting position to fight for.”

He watched the Cyclones go 7-6 last season, mainly behind the running of tailback Alexander Robinson. Offensive coordinator Tom Herman's spread offense was more run heavy than most thought it would be.

“With a guy like Alexander Robinson it's hard to not hand it off to him,” Barnett said.

Barnett's University of Texas-bound teammates have teased him about the difference in talent between the Big 12's South and North divisions.

“They are saying the North is weak,” Barnett said. “We'll have to show 'em.”