Desert Pines running back Jovantae Barnes (#2) carries the ball for a touchdown during the first half of a game against Orem (Utah) High School in the Polynesian Football Classic at Fertitta Field on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021 | 2 a.m.
It’s 1 p.m. on a weekday at Desert Pines High School, and Jovantae Barnes has already heard from 10 college football coaches today. The senior star running back thumbs through his text messages before practice in what has become a daily routine.
He notices one from DeMarco Murray, the Las Vegas legend who now works as the running backs coach at Oklahoma. There’s another message from the University of Miami running backs coach. “Here’s one from Nebraska,” Barnes says, showing his iPhone. “I haven’t heard from them in a while.”
The 6-foot, 190-pound senior, ranked the nation’s 10th-best running back recruit by 247Sports, has received more than 35 scholarship offers. He has pared that list down to a who’s who of dynastic college football programs: Alabama, Florida State, Miami, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and USC.
In addition to the nonstop communication from coaches, his typical day also includes a frequent question from friends: Which school will you pick?
Barnes insists, even to his parents, that there’s no favorite. He plans to visit each of those final six schools before making a decision ahead of the early-signing period, which begins December 15. He’ll then announce his decision during the ESPN-televised Under Armour All-American Game on January 2, 2022, in Orlando, Florida.
Even Barnes’ school attire doesn’t provide significant clues. On this day, he’s got an Alabama backpack and wrist bracelet, an Oklahoma lanyard and a Washington pullover—even though the Huskies aren’t among his final six. Earlier in the school year, he wore gear from both Alabama and Auburn simultaneously. Another day, it was Miami and Florida State, prompting Desert Pines coach Tico Rodriguez—a Miami native—to jokingly warn his running back not to let anyone take his photo, because of the dislike between the fan bases.
For his part, Barnes isn’t bothered by the attention or stressed about the decision, explaining that there are many other high school players throughout the nation who would love to be in his position. “You only get to be a recruit one time, so you definitely have to enjoy yourself,” he says.
The recruiting trail has featured plenty of fun. Take the official visit he made in September to Alabama for the Ole Miss game. Activities included a Sunday breakfast at famed coach Nick Saban’s house. Barnes ate biscuits, eggs and waffles and then got to peek into Saban’s garage full of high-end Mercedes-Benz cars.
Barnes says Saban told him his favorite is a Mercedes-Maybach SUV. “Nick Saban is the best coach to ever be,” Barnes says, “and he is also a real humble guy.”
Cars were also part of the recruiting pitch this summer at Oklahoma’s annual ChampU BBQ, where prospects like Barnes paraded in front of a green Ferrari and other exotic cars. Even more impressive for Barnes was meeting former Oklahoma greats who returned to campus for the event, including former NFL MVP Adrian Peterson, Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray (Cardinals), Marquise Brown (Ravens), Jalen Hurts (Eagles) and CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys). “I was blown away by the people who came to that event,” Barnes says.
On the field, Barnes has proven to be worth all the attention, scoring 11 touchdowns in six games this season while averaging nearly nine yards per carry. Against Las Vegas High, he carried the ball 10 times for 190 yards and three touchdowns. Barnes has been making up for lost time after his junior season was canceled due to the pandemic.
“When he wants to go somewhere, he goes there and it’s hard to bring him down,” Rodriguez says. “[He’s] powerful, fast, explosive. Watching [the Tennessee Titans’] Derrick Henry, he is a little version of that. He’s not there yet, but he has the traits.
Rodriguez says he cherishes his duty helping Barnes, or any of his players, make life decisions such as which college to attend. The coach never changes his primary message to anyone, including Barnes: The choice is yours.
“He has to go where his heart is happy,” Rodriguez says. “I want my kids to be happy. You guide them, give them information. But at the end of the day, the kid 100% has to pick where his heart wants him to go.”
This story appeared in Las Vegas Weekly.
