Darren Alan Barnett (May 22, 1984 - July 1, 2021) was an American professional football player who was a cornerback.

Darren Barnett
No. 41
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born:(1984-05-22)May 22, 1984
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Died:July 1, 2021(2021-07-01) (aged 37)
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:186 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school:Princeton (Cincinnati, OH)
College:Michigan State
Southwest Missouri State
Undrafted:2007
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards

Barnett was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. He played scholastically at Princeton High School and collegiately at Michigan State[1][2] and Southwest Missouri State.[3]

Barnett was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He was released at the end of the pre-season, but was added to their practice squad in mid-October[4] and earned a Super Bowl ring with the team for their victory in Super Bowl XLII.[3]

He again spent training camp with the Giants in 2008, but again was released at the end of the pre-season.[5]

Barnett spent the 2009 season with the Odessa Roughnecks of the Indoor Football League. [3]

Barnett was the nephew of Harlon Barnett, who also played at Princeton and Michigan State.[1][2]

Barnett was shot to death in St. Louis on July 1, 2021 at age 37.[6]

Early years

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Barnett graduated from Princeton High School in 2003.

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40 Commit date
Darrin Barnet
DB
Cincinnati, Ohio Princeton High School 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 4.45 Jul 8, 2003 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: -- (DB)   Rivals: -- (DB), -- (OH)
  • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2002 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 1, 2012.

Barnett committed to Michigan State University on July 8, 2003.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Football All-Stars at Lockland Tonight: Princeton's Barnett commits to Michigan St". Cincinnati Enquirer. June 13, 2002. Darren Barnett, a standout receiver and cornerback at Princeton High School, has signed to play football at Michigan State...Barnett follows the footsteps of his uncle, Harlon Barnett, who played at Princeton and Michigan State and later was an NFL defensive back.
  2. ^ a b Rexrode, Joe (August 13, 2004). "Barnett leaving MSU: Former starting cornerback may transfer to Cincy". Lansing State Journal. His uncle, Harlon Barnett, a former MSU All-American, is defensive backs coach for the Bearcats...
  3. ^ a b c "Barnett signs". The Odessa American. March 17, 2009. The Odessa Roughnecks announced that defensive back Darren Barnett has signed a contract for the 2009 Indoor Football League season. Barnett was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2007 and spent the season on the team's practice squad, helping the team through its Super Bowl victory in 2008. He played collegiately at Michigan State and Southwest Missouri State, earning All-Gateway Conference honors his senior season (2006).
  4. ^ Palladino, Ernie (October 11, 2007). "Giants Journal". White Plains Journal News. Cornerback Darren Barnett was signed to the Giants' practice squad
  5. ^ "Giants Roster Moves". Asbury Park Press. September 1, 2008. Released DB Darren Barnett
  6. ^ "Shooting victim was 37-year old man, police say". St. Louis Post Dispatch. July 9, 2021.
  7. ^ "Darrin Barnett". www.rivals.com. Yahoo!. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
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