CLEMSON – The 2023 Clemson Tigers were a team heralded for their veterans heading into the season. Those players are crucial, but the surprise comes from the freshmen that have stole the show in Tiger Town.

On the defensive side, safety Khalil Barnes is the perfect case of such. The initial plan was never for him to start, but lingering injuries for starter Andrew Mukuba forced him into the nickel role. Little did Clemson know that would be a stroke of luck as Barnes became an immediate playmaker.

Theough six games, Barnes has 12 tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception. His nose for the football is that of a veteran and the January enrollment may have played into it. Regardless, he’s still a freshman and that’s something he’s had to grasp even with the early opportunity.

“Football wise, sometimes I feel like a freshman. Just some of the things, they’ve played against a lot of the guys multiple years…school wise, I do not feel like a freshman. It’s kind of getting hard. Those classes, man,” Barnes said.

One could argue classes are harder than football for Barnes given his early rise. The familiarity with opponents is something he emphasized, but it hasn’t stopped him from shutting down whoever he lines up across.

Even with Mukuba back in the fold, Barnes is key to this secondary and preparation made this real. The mantra “prepare like you’re going to start” was pushed by the veteran safeties, and it clearly worked with him. Film study, practice and more have built that confidence for Barnes.

“Once you’ve become so confident in your preparation and you get out there, you fall back on your preparation,” Barnes said.

That preparation will be crucial this week, taking on the No. 1 yardage offense in the ACC in Miami. The Hurricanes are averaging over 500 yards a game, and Barnes’ performance alongside many others will dictate if the Tigers can carry their momentum in and out of Hard Rock Stadium.