Interview: 2020 Key West OL Patrick Barnett has That Nasty Trench Mob Mentality
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
High school football players who want to play at the next level, and at a top program, have to dominate their competition to be taken seriously. Dominating is one word to describe Patrick Barnett, mean and nasty – which is a good thing, are a couple of other descriptive words to label how the 6-6, 305-pound, lineman takes to the field for Key West High School. After earning first team All-SFC and All-County honors in 2018, the Class of 2020 talent is seeing his recruiting stock pick up.
In an RNG exclusive, I sat down with one of Florida’s under the radar players in the 2020 class to learn more about his game and growing recruiting prospects.
Interview
Patrick, when you lock onto a defender you take them for a ride. How much have you charged defensive linemen and linebackers for the rides given?
(Laughs) “I am not sure how to answer that, nothing yet.”
The Conchs like to run the ball giving you a lot of opportunity to improve and dominate in that aspect of the game. What all do you feel you do well as a run blocker?
“In the offseason, I was constantly working on leverage and footwork. Now a days you don’t see that many great run blockers. With me wrestling, that plays a big role in what I do on the field. It helps with my hips and my footwork. When the ball is snapped, 90 percent of the time they (defenders) are going on their back.”
What about as a pass blocker, how is that part of your game coming along?
“I’ve worked on it alone in my spare time, you need to have that. I have quick feet, but I still need work. I learn quick. Footwork is my main focus, that is what I have been working on with my pass blocking. We don’t pass protect too much.”
Your reel is a knockdown and pancake showcase, how many knock downs and pancake blocks did you have last season?
“I had over 100 knockdowns and as many pancake blocks.”
I believe it. What was area of your game that might have been a weakness to start the season but by the end you had turned that into a strength?
“My hand-placement. I would come off the ball into their chest but I was not locking in right. We have a dummy we work on off our knees and punch the bag. At the end of the season, that was my strongest area. I was stronger with my punch and locking them up.”
Have you maxed out in the weight room this offseason?
“Yes, sir. My bench max is 345, I am over 400 pounds on squat, and I can deadlift over 500.”
Impressive. Are you going to any national camps or combines this spring?
“Yes, sir. I am going to the Nike Opening on Feb. 16.”
With recruiting, which schools are showing interest?
“I am receiving interest from Miami, USF, South Carolina – they are sending me a lot of mail, Washington State, Wake Forest, FIU, UCF, FAU, and Wofford.”
For the coaches who may not know of you, what type of student-athlete are you?
“I am a hard worker. I don’t take plays off and play as hard as I can.”
What do you do for fun away from football and working out?
“I wrestle. I don’t do much else. My life is football. I love the game.”
If this offseason is a success you would have accomplished what?
“I want to get bigger and stronger, improve my footwork, go to as many camps as I can and compete well. That will be a great offseason.”
Yes, it will be. Patrick, I appreciate your time today and wish you success with your offseason workouts.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: hudl.com; No. 50 Patrick Barnett