Colorado lands four-star transfer defender

BOULDER — The one silver lining of players transferring out of the program?

Open scholarships.

Colorado filled one of its open scholarships on Sunday, when former Oklahomas Sooner defender Robert Barnes. The redshirt-junior was a four-star recruit out of high school, checking in as the No. 92 prospect and No. 12 safety in the nation in 2017, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. He also played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. 247Sports rated him as a five-star.

Love, 20🖤 pic.twitter.com/4ILOsBNwUq

— Robert Barnes (@r0bertbarnes) January 18, 2021

Exactly where Barnes fits in with the Buffs is up for debate.

As mentioned above, Barnes was one of the top safeties in his high school class, and he became a starter ahead of his second season in Norman. But Barnes only played four games in his junior season, which counted as a redshirt year, and he switched positions to linebacker in 2020.

At 6-foot-2 and 232 pounds, Barnes has the size to play linebacker and his coverage numbers would indicate he could be effective at the STAR position or at safety. In his career, Barnes has been targeted 33 times, allowing 18 catches (57.6%), to go with 291 yards, three touchdowns and two interecptions. That’s good for a 91.9 opposing passer rating.

With senior linebacker Akil Jones and senior safety Derrion Rakestraw both in the transfer portal, there are a couple of holes that the Buffs will need to fill ahead of next season and Robert Barnes’ name could be at the top of the list of replacements.

Barnes entered the portal as a graduate transfer, so he’ll be eligible to play immediately. He will have two seasons of eligibilty remaining.