Why Jovantae Barnes' lead role in OU's Cheez-It Bowl game is a 'dream come true'
NORMAN — Jovantae Barnes grew up dreaming about playing college ball in front of his family.
That dream will soon come true.
When OU faces Florida State in the Cheez-It Bowl at Camping World Stadium on Thursday in Orlando, Fla., it'll be a full-circle moment for Barnes. Despite being listed on the Sooners' roster as a Las Vegas native, the freshman running back actually grew up in Orlando and didn't leave The Sunshine State until the sixth grade.
Numerous members of Barnes' family will be in attendance for the Cheez-It Bowl, and they'll get to see him in an expanded role. Star running back Eric Gray opted out of the contest to prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft, while redshirt junior running back Marcus Major is dealing with a right foot injury.
This leaves Barnes as the Sooners' top ball carrier.
"I’m gonna have a whole bunch of family coming down," Barnes said. "It’s going to be a great time and great atmosphere. A great experience to have one of my first starts in front of my family. ... To finally get to do that is a dream come true."
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Despite moving to Las Vegas in middle school, Barnes' ties to Orlando remained strong.
His mother is from Melbourne, Florida, while his father still lives in Winter Haven, Florida. Both cities sit just outside of Orlando.
Even when he lived in Las Vegas, Barnes returned to Orlando every summer to visit his family. So when it came time for him to decide which college he would attend following a dominant senior season at Desert Pines High School, the location for his announcement was an easy choice.
Barnes announced his commitment to OU on Jan. 2 at the Under Armour All-American Game, which was held at Orlando's Camping World Stadium.
Barnes chose the Sooners over numerous suitors, including Florida State.
Now he'll get to go up against the Seminoles, who boast one of the better defenses in the nation. The group is allowing just 19.7 points per game, which ranks 17th in the country.
"Florida State is a great team and a team I was looking to go to," Barnes said. "Their defense is incredible. They have fast and physical players. They can do almost everything. It’s going to be a big battle, and I think it’s going to be a great game with great competition."
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Barnes is tasked with running behind an OU offensive line that'll be without two starters.
Junior left tackle Anton Harrison and senior right tackle Wanya Morris opted out of the bowl game to prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft. The Sooners are expected to lean on backups such as redshirt sophomore Tyler Guyton and freshman Jacob Sexton.
"I feel like the young guys are going to step up," Barnes said of OU's offensive line. "We’ve had a great couple of days in practice. We’ve been competing, going at it against the defensive line and the defense. They’ve been doing an incredible job. It looks like the same o-line to me."
Despite only being a freshman, Barnes has shown he's capable of handling an expanded role.
The first-year Sooner converted 89 carries into 411 yards and four touchdowns during the regular season, and his strongest performance came in a Week 5 game against TCU. He rushed for 100 yards and two scores on 18 touches.
Barnes made the most of his opportunities while sharing touches with Gray, who put up career numbers this season. Now the lead back, Barnes has an opportunity to fully flourish in the city he once called home.
"It's a new step," Barnes said. "I’ve been building my confidence to getting this role I’ve been looking forward to all season. ... I feel like I’m ready."
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Cheez-It Bowl
OU VS. FLORIDA STATE: 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. (ESPN)
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football freshman RB Jovantae Barnes has lead role in Cheez-It Bowl
