What happened to Blake Barnett?

By Jason Bolton November 27, 2023 08:37

Photo by Patrick Gorsky, USA Today

Blake Barnett is a name that has been associated with success and heartbreak in his football career. From being a sought-after prospect in high school to losing his starting job in college, Barnett has experienced it all. In this article, we will take a closer look at what happened to Blake Barnett and how he is using his experiences to shape his future.

Barnett's high school career was nothing short of impressive. As the senior quarterback for Erie's football team, he amassed over 2,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in back-to-back seasons. Despite his individual accomplishments, Barnett's focus was always on the losses and the lessons they taught him. He believed that caring about losses more than wins was where the most growth came from. This mindset would prove to be invaluable in the years to come.

After graduating from high school, Barnett committed to play football at the University of Alabama. He was a 5-star prospect and was highly sought-after by other schools. However, his time at Alabama did not go as planned. Barnett started the team's Week 1 game against the USC Trojans and performed well. However, true freshman Jalen Hurts took over the starting job and led the Crimson Tide to a 4-0 start. Barnett lost his starting job and decided to transfer from the program.

Barnett's decision to transfer was met with mixed reactions. Some praised him for taking control of his future while others criticized him for being a quitter. However, Barnett stayed true to his beliefs and focused on the lessons he had learned from his losses. He transferred to Arizona State University and was immediately eligible to play due to NCAA rules.

Barnett's time at Arizona State was not without its challenges. He struggled to find his place in the team and was eventually benched in favor of Manny Wilkins. Barnett's rocky college career was not lost on him. He knew that he had to keep pushing forward and stay true to his beliefs.

After graduating from Arizona State, Barnett decided to give football another shot. He signed with the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) and was excited to be playing the sport he loved once again. However, his time with the Fleet was short-lived as the league folded after just one season.

Despite the setbacks, Barnett did not lose hope. He continued to work hard and stay focused on his goals. In 2020, he signed with the Tampa Bay Vipers of the XFL. However, the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the XFL season and Barnett once again found himself without a team.

But Barnett did not give up. He continued to train and prepare for his next opportunity. In 2021, he signed with the Spring League, a developmental league for professional football players. Barnett played well and was eventually signed by the Dallas Cowboys as a backup quarterback.

Barnett's journey has been one of ups and downs. He has experienced both success and heartbreak in his football career. However, he has never lost sight of his beliefs. He knows that caring about losses more than wins is where the most growth comes from. This mindset has helped him stay focused and driven even in the face of adversity.

Today, Barnett is no longer playing football. However, his experiences have shaped him into the person he is today. He continues to use the lessons he learned from his losses to be successful in whatever he does. Blake Barnett may not have had the NFL career he dreamed of, but he has something even more valuable - the knowledge that he can overcome any obstacle that comes his way.

Blake Barnett's football journey has been one of highs and lows. From being a highly sought-after prospect in high school to struggling to find his place in college, Barnett's career has been anything but easy. However, he has never lost sight of his beliefs and has used his experiences to shape his future. Barnett's story is a reminder that success is not always defined by wins and losses, but by the lessons we learn along the way.