Bill O'Brien and Nittany Lion Coaching Staff to Welcome Coaches From Across The Nation
The Nittany Lions are blessed with productive veterans returning along the defensive line, but will need to have an eye on the future and develop depth and impact players this fall. Seniors Pete Massaro and Sean Stanley are the most experienced returnees at defensive end, but redshirt freshman Deion Barnes is poised to make an impact and could challenge for a starting assignment. Barnes is a highly-skilled athlete with excellent physical attributes and has the potential to emerge as a big-play performer. The Delaware Valley prep all-stater made substantial progress during his first season as a Nittany Lion and has a promising future. In the 2012 Blue-White game, Barnes recorded a sack for minus-yards to help the defense record the victory. Barnes is among 11 returning Nittany Lions from Eastern Pennsylvania.
2011 Freshman Season
Redshirt season.
High School
Barnes was named second-team all-state, first-team All-Public League and Philadelphia Public School Player-of-the-Year at Northeast High School for Coach Chris Riley. Barnes helped Northeast win its first Philadelphia Public League championship since 1983. During his senior season, he recorded 85 tackles, 25 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. Barnes also had three receiving touchdowns and blocked three punts. Rivals.com listed Barnes as the nation's No. 6 prep defensive end in 2010.
