Western Carolina University

PRONUNCIATION: GEE-no JUNE-ee-us Junior

2024 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in 11 of the team’s 12 games with one start and 10 as a defensive reserve and on special teams … Credited with 10 total tackles, including six solo stops and half a tackle for loss coming on a sack, adding a quarterback hurry … Recorded tackles in six of the 11 games … Made his first career tackle as part of a career-high four total stops at Elon (Sept. 14) … Tallied solo stops at nationally-ranked Montana (Sept. 21) and at ETSU (Nov. 9) … Made his first collegiate start against Chattanooga (Nov. 2), posting a pair of solo tackles.

2023 (Freshman): Played in two games as a defensive reserve and on special teams, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Did not record any official statistics … Made his collegiate debut in the home rivalry win over ETSU (Nov. 11) and also saw action at VMI (Nov. 18) … In WCU’s annual Spring Game, was credited with a scrimmage-best 4.5 tackles including a sack for the White Squad.

Prior to Western Carolina: Team captain as a senior … Credited with 129 total tackles including 60 solo stops … Tallied 17 tackles for loss including 6.5 sacks as a senior, adding a blocked punt and a fumble recovery … Had a team-leading 19 tackles in the state championship win over Clearwater Central Catholic … Named first-team All-County and earned All-Crib first-team defense at linebacker … Also plays baseball and runs track as a prep.

Personal: Is the son of Tiliana Barnes.

Career Highs:
Tackles - 4, at Elon (9/14/24)
Tackles for Loss - 0.5, at Elon (9/14/24)
Sacks - 0.5, at Elon (9/14/24)