For Brandon Barnett, there’s nothing like being a Razorback again for the first time.

The former Texarkana Razorback of Arkansas High, and a University of Arkansas Razorback signee first out of high school in 2005 and then again last February out of Butler (Kan. ) Community College, had to wait until Aug. 9 before officially becoming academically UA certified.

Barnett joined the Razorbacks during their fifth practice of preseason. Having redshirted in 2005 at Butler, he begins at the UA as a sophomore with three years eligibility.

Brandon’s older brother, Freddie, a defensive lineman, also signed twice with Arkansas. He didn’t meet academic standards and eventually signed with the University of Memphis.

ADVERTISEMENT

Nevertheless, Brandon said his older brother encouraged him to hang in and get the summer work done needed to be a Razorback.

“ Freddie always told me, ” Brandon said, “‘ just whatever you want, go out and get it. ’ That’s why I am here. It was a dream come true, just to get in and be a Razorback again. It’s always been a childhood dream of mine. I’m just trying to get everything step by step and be in a groove and try and take it in stride. ”

He found a lot to take in stride. First, he was practicing without pads while everyone else practiced in full pads.

The NCAA mandates two days of practice without pads and two days of shoulder and pads and shorts before full pads.

Players must go through that routine even if you begin practice belatedly. But he expected that. What he didn’t expect was making tackles instead of breaking them.

The touted Texarkana tailback — he was the 2005 Arkansas Activities Association All-Star game MVP even with Darren McFadden running in that same game — is a cornerback as an Arkansas Razorback.

Makes sense, even with Barnett rushing 1, 056 yards and 14 touchdowns on 148 carries last year at Butler.

After all, McFadden and Felix Jones return to Houston Nutt’s Razorbacks after netting 1, 647 and 1, 168 last year while reserve running back Michael Smith averaged 7. 1 per tote.

“ Coach came to me, ” Barnett said, “ and said, ‘ Brandon, we need help on defense. ’ So whatever it takes to help the team. I know Darren and those guys on the offense are going to hold it down. So really all I need to do is what Coach Nutt asks me to do and be willing to give my best. ”

Barnett gave it his best right off the bat, picking off pass while unpadded and the others padded that first night.

“ He’s always been that way, ” Nutt said. “ If you study film from his sophomore year on, he’s always been a playmaker, a guy who makes a difference. He was the allstar game MVP. He’s very active and makes a lot of plays. ”

With some good instincts, it appears.

“ I kind of read the quarterback a little bit, ” Barnett said, “ but I ain’t going to lie, I’m kind of out of shape a little bit. That’s something I’ve got to work on. It’s hot out here [an August heat wave of mid 90 s and up greeted the Hogs ] and coming out your legs get a little tired. ”

Nutt and Bobby Allen, the cornerbacks coach who first recruited him out of Texarkana, expected Barnett to be a little out shape. They also expected Barnett’s ability would show up even on the other side of the ball that he last played in high school at times.

They weren’t disappointed.

“ Brandon played some DB in high school, ” Allen said. “ I watched him do some awfully good things as a DB. Thing is about him for a big kid, he’s probably a little bit looser in the hips than you would anticipate when he walks by. And he’s so strong, with our press coverage that’s really a plus. ”

What about Barnett’s first impression as an Arkansas Razorback ?

“ He made a very good first impression, ” Allen replied. “ He’s been a star running back all his life, but he said, ‘ Coach, whatever it takes to help this football team, I’m willing to do. ’ ”