CLEMSON — Fourth-ranked Clemson is set to face off with No. 9 LSU in one of its biggest home openers in quite some time.

Veteran safety Khalil Barnes, who missed a substantial amount of time during fall camp dealing with what Dabo Swinney described as a “minor injury,” is out on the field and taking part in pregame stretching. The junior was also listed as a co-starter at ROV on the depth chart Clemson released earlier today.

Having Barnes available is big for a Clemson team that has to replace RJ Mickens.

Barnes has been a staple on the backend of the Tigers’ defense the past two seasons. He burst onto the scene during his debut season in 2023, earning a starting role and freshman All-American honors after registering 41 tackles, five tackles for loss, six pass breakups, a team-high three interceptions, three forced fumbles and one sack. He also added a fumble recovery that he returned 42 yards for a touchdown. He was the first Clemson player in the Swinney era to record multiple forced fumbles and multiple interceptions in a freshman season.

Last season, Barnes finished with 60 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and a team-high four interceptions. It was the first time since 2019 that a Tiger registered four picks in a single season.

Photo courtesy of Bart Boatwright