One of Appalachian State’s top special-teams performers as a redshirt freshman last season looks to earn a bigger role on defense as a sophomore … is one of team’s hardest hitters with his 6-2, 202-pound frame … will compete with redshirt freshman Alex Gray for the starting assignment at free safety.

2012: Appeared in all 12 games … was primarily used on kickoff coverage, where he recorded four of his seven tackles on the season … turned in one of Appalachian State’s biggest plays of the season when he clocked Montana kick returner Chase Naccarato to force a fumble that was recovered by the Mountaineers on the UM 21 yard line … four plays later, Appalachian scored its second touchdown in a 1:21 span to take a 21-7 lead en route to a 35-27 home-opening victory … Barnes’ huge hit on Naccarato was featured on ESPN SportsCenter’s “Top 10 Plays” segment that evening … saw extensive playing time in the secondary during Appalachian’s 55-14 rout over Coastal Carolina and racked up a career-high three tackles.

2011: Redshirted.

High School: Helped lead Hobbton to North Carolina 1A state championship game and 10-5 overall record in 2010 ... versatile athlete played defensive back, running back and punted for the Wildcats ... averaged seven tackles per game and intercepted three passes as a senior while also rushing for 1,500 yards and seven touchdowns and averaging 38 yards per punt ... named all-Cape Fear region by Fayetteville Observer ... participated in 2010 North Carolina-South Carolina Shrine Bowl ... coached by Jeff Byrd.

Personal: Full name is Henry Howard Barnes, Jr. ... born Oct. 21, 1992 (turns 21 during season) ... son of Henry H. Barnes, Sr. ... is the youngest of three siblings ... great uncle, Emery Barnes, was a high-jumper in the 1952 Olympics, played football at Oregon and with the NFL’s Green Bay Packers and CFL’s British Columbia Lions and went on to serve five terms in the British Columbia legislature ... Henry enjoys fishing and riding four-wheelers ... majoring in secondary health education.