OSU's Barnett drawing raves from coaches
By Doug Harris
Staff Writer
Ohio State safety C.J. Barnett waits on the sidelines for the defense to take the field against Toledo last season.
COLUMBUS ?
In the opening episode Tuesday of ?ESPN?s All Access: Ohio State Training Days,? OSU coach Urban Meyer stopped C.J. Barnett on the practice field as the junior safety was running by and said: ?I like coaching you. Glad you?re a Buckeye, bro.?
Meyer isn?t one to toss around compliments in an insincere way. The players who aren?t endearing themselves to him know exactly where they stand, too.
But Barnett, a two-year starter from Northmont High School, has been lauded by the coaching staff as a player others on the team should emulate.
?Great kid,? co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell said. ?He?s one of the hardest working players out there. When you try to evaluate what are the top three things in a kid?s life, football is probably going to be right up there with his family and, hopefully, his faith.
?It?s not hard to tell who puts a foot on the pedal and how they go about their business. He?s got the ability. Now, is he Chris Gamble (a two-way starter in 2002-03)? No. But let?s be realistic. Do you have to be? No. There?s a fine line. Everybody is in that same ability range. It comes down to the passion to do the intangible things. He does them.?
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