Published: November 18, 2008 02:23 am      

Despite series of injuries, Barnes making an impact at Harvard

After three injury-plagued seasons, Ryan Barnes was healthy and finally getting the opportunity to showcase his abilities for the first time in his college career.

Through the first half of the season, the senior safety was among the team leaders in tackles and was playing a big role in Harvard’s drive for an Ivy League Championship.

However, that’s when the former Madison Central standout stunningly had another setback.

“I was backpedaling and I planted and apparently the bone went the wrong way,” Barnes said. “It was just a freak accident.”

But this time the injury wasn’t serious.

Barnes had a slightly dislocated fibia, but there was no ligament damage in his knee. He sat out of practice for a few days and did not play in the next two games — lopsided wins over Dartmouth and Columbia.

And when he got back on field, he delivered a performance that garnered him national recognition.

Barnes had three interceptions on Saturday as the 19th-ranked Crimson defeated Penn, 24-21, in Philadelphia. The senior also had four tackles and three pass breakups in the win.

His last interception came at the goalline in the final seconds as Penn was driving for the potential game-winning score.

On Monday, Barnes was named the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week and the Sports Network National Defensive Player of the Week.

“It is discouraging when your body fails you, especially when you put so much and time and effort into it,” Barnes said. “All you can do is try to get better and come back bigger, stronger and faster than before.”

The Richmond native was a standout baseball and football player in high school, but injuries had kept him off the field for much of his career.

In his first three college years, he had played in 11 games, making just three starts.

“I’ve torn my hamstring twice,” Barnes said. “I’ve torn ligaments in my ankles. I had a grade-two separated shoulder. I’ve had some stuff happen, but I’ve stayed pretty healthy this year.”

During his freshman year, he saw action in two games at wide receiver. The next spring, he was moved to defense, but didn’t emerge as a full-time starter until this season.

“I enjoy playing defense,” said Barnes, who played quarterback and safety at Madison Central. “Safety is definitely my natural position. It’s really always been very comfortable to me.”

Even though he’s played in just seven games this season, the safety is fourth on the team with 45 tackles and second on the squad with seven pass break-ups.

Barnes received an academic scholarship to Harvard and is majoring in history with a secondary focus in government. He is considering applying for law school, but those plans may have to be put on hold, at least for now.

The Richmond native could return to Harvard and play football next year. However, school rules allow students only eight semesters of athletic eligibility.

So, Barnes plans on leaving school in December and returning next fall. But right now the safety is more interested in the present then the future.

Going into the season-finale this Saturday against Yale, the Crimson (8-1) are tied for first place in the Ivy League with Brown.

A win over the Bulldogs would assure Harvard at least a share of the conference title.

“We are playing for the championship in the final two weeks,” Barnes said. “We have had a lot of success up here.”