Camp Countdown: Bill Barnes `Just Walked In'
7/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
In 1956 Bill Barnes became the first ACC player to rush for over 1,000 yards and was the second leading rusher in the nation. That year he became an All-American was tabbed ACC Player of the Year. Barnes was inducted into the Wake Forest Hall of Fame in 1975. With all the fanfare that surrounded him during his career at Wake Forest, his entrance couldn't have been more under the radar.
Bill Barnes `Just Walked In'
Originally Published in 1956, Author UnknownIn this day of the high-powered recruiters, the golden promises, the tempting enticements dangled before the wide eyes of husky high school youths, good halfbacks don't just walk up to a coach and say, "I'd like to play football for you, if it's okay." It happened, though. And the fact that it did simply adds gloss to the success story of one of the ACC's very best halfbacks, Bill Barnes.
 Barnes was drafted by the Eagles in 1957 and was a key part of Philadelphia's 1960 championship team.  | |
"It was kind of freakish," said Coach Tom Rogers, "the way we got Barnes. We went to see him four-five times but he didn't show much interest in Wake Forest. We didn't try too hard to get him. We heard he was going to State on a baseball scholarship and we forgot about him. Then one day, a bunch of us were sitting around the office and Barnes walked in. He told me he'd like to play football for me if it was okay. I told him `Yeah, it is okay with me.'"
Today, Rogers would not trade Barnes for any halfback in the conference. "Bill is as good as anybody I've seen this year," declared the head Deacon. "He can do everything well and he's a terrific competitor. He's a little lazy in practice but when game time comes, he's ready."
Rogers said he thought Barnes' great competitive spirit was a key factor in Wake Forest's national intercollegiate baseball championship last spring. Bill played third base for the Deacs.
The five-foot, 11-inch, 180-pound junior from Landis is Wake Forest's best runner (38 carries, 147 yards, 3.9 average) and best defensive back. He is of the club's finest pass receivers, ranking sixth nationally with 16 catches for 183 yards. For variety, he will pass on you occasionally. He's thrown once and completed it for 15 yards.
Barnes is a fast, slashing runner who can hurt you on power thrusts but he is at his best in a broken field. He intercepted a pass recently and ran it back 51 yards. He has carried six kickoffs back 183 yards for a 30.5 average and has returned four punts 36 yards. For icing, Bill is leading Wake Forest in scoring with two touchdowns and two extra points. (Extra points, more versatility).
State almost had Barnes. The Wolfpack will long rue the day he got away. Wake Forest almost didn't have him. The Deacons will long praise the day he walked into Tom Roger's office and asked if he could play ball.
Day 30: Wake Forest Football, 1889
Day 29: Assistant Coach Beattie Feathers
Day 28: Wake Forest in Japan, 1974
Day 25: Deacon History 101
Day 24: 'M' Non-Lettermen
Day 23: WF Stuns Undefeated Vols
Day 22: Larry Tearry's Poetry