Michigan State Football: Julian Barnett getting look at wide receiver

The quickest way for Julian Barnett to see the field for Michigan State football would likely be on offense and with the receivers.

One of the biggest storylines heading into the season will be the usage of talented incoming freshman Julian Barnett who was the second-highest rated recruit in Michigan State’s 2019 class.

Barnett came in as a four-star athlete from Belleville, Mich., so his position was up in the air, though everyone just assumed he would be defense-only. Would he be a cornerback or a safety?

On the first day of practice for the 2019 season, Barnett grouped up with the receivers and went through offensive drills.

Is this a surprise? Somewhat, but not entirely. He was a receiver and a defensive back at the high school level and some of his best highlights came from the offensive side of the ball. He has the size at 6-2 and 190 pounds and his hands are strong along with his knowledge for both sides of the ball, so he could be a serious asset for the Spartan offense.

Michigan State’s offense needs a boost and the quickest way for Barnett to see the field would be at receiver rather than the loaded cornerback position.

Barnett isn’t the first defensive player to try offense in the past few years as Montae Nicholson got a look at receiver as a freshman and Tony Lippett swapped back and forth between cornerback and wide out before being named Big Ten Receiver of the Year in 2014.

This is an exciting development for the Spartans. Will Barnett go the anti-Justin Layne route and come in as a projected four-star defensive back and make it to the next level as a star receiver?