5 Clemson Football players who could win awards in 2024
By John Chancey
Khalil Barnes
Barnes is one of those players who made a splash in 2023, but not such a big splash that he has become a household name outside of Clemson Nation. He is still a relative unknown to a lot of college football fans.
I am always nervous about rising sophomores who impressed as freshmen. The sophomore slump is a real thing. Consider Barnes’s predecessor, Andrew Mukuba.
Mukuba found the field early in the 2021 season. He became a starter quickly. He had some typical growing pains but also made some fantastic plays. The 2022 season didn’t go well for him.
There are a handful of reasons we can consider for Mukuba’s sophomore slump. Clemson shifted his position out of need. He dealt with nagging injuries. The defense was adjusting to a new defensive coordinator.
Barnes won’t have a new coordinator. He probably won’t be forced into another position out of need. Injuries are impossible to predict.
The biggest reason for slumps is simply that expectations change following a good freshman season when the team wasn’t relying on the player. It’s different when they become a first-stringer. Some players handle it well, and others take time to adjust.
Of all the sophomores who will be stepping into the starting lineup, Barnes is the one I worry about the least. He is just a natural on the field.
Possible awards: Bednarik Award (defensive players), Bronko Nagurski Trophy (defensive players), Jim Thorpe Award (defensive backs)
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