Jermaine Barnett considers himself a well-kept secret — at least off the Emporia State practice fields.
ESU fans might not know a lot about him yet, but that day is sure to change — and soon, if he has anything to do with it.
“After a couple of games, people will know about me,” Barnett said with a laugh. “They’ll know my name and what I can do.”
He’s certainly not a secret to the ESU quarterbacks anymore.
Barnett’s blazing speed has already turned many heads in workouts.
And also worn out a few arms in the process.
“He’s the fastest guy,” quarterback Justin Whitworth said, “I’ve ever seen in person.”
“I don’t know what his 40(-meter dash time) is, but it’s fast,” quarterback Ben Purkeypile said. “I know I have to throw my whole arm out there when he starts running.”
ESU football coach Dave Wiemers said that speed — the speed that will beat a cornerback deep and get the Hornets perhaps one loey wouldn’t have gotten last season — is enough to make Barnett at least worth recognizing.
“Jermaine’s explosiveness — we probably haven’t seen anything like that in a few years,” Wiemers said.
Though he’s not 100 percent right now while nursing a hamstring injury, Barnett still has additional motivation to make his mark in Saturday’s opener against Oklahoma Panhandle State.
The Garden City CC transfer hasn’t played a full game in nearly two seasons.
His last collegiate contest was in 2004 — a playoff game against Butler County. In the game, Barnett tore his ACL and was lost for the season.
Barnett’s speed wasn’t a secret then, as he caught the eye of Kansas State coach Bill Snyder and signed on to join the Wildcats.
When new coach Ron Prince was hired, however, the receiver found his status up in the air.
“He had some of his guys coming in from other schools,” Barnett said, “so that didn’t work out.”
After a sit-down with Prince, Barnett was told there wasn’t room for him on the KSU roster.
Emporia State turned out to be the next-best option. Wiemers, who had recruited the Great Bend standout since high school and kept in contact with him, was again there when he needed a new school to call home.
“We really searched hard over the wintertime to find somebody out on the edge that was going to be one of the fastest guys in the league,” Wiemers said. “We wanted somebody who was going to run like crazy. I think that’s what he gives us.”
Though he’s missed about 15 practices and isn’t at full strength just yet, the sophomore Barnett believes his limited speed should still be enough to get the job done.
“That’s all I really need,” Barnett said. “As long as I can run without too much pain, I’ll be good.”
Even with playmakers such as Ryan Hulings and Sean Partridge already at the crowded receiver position, Barnett hopes he is still able to make an impact on Saturday.
And, perhaps, get his name out to those who don’t know just yet.
“He just gets out there and runs, and it’s great to have someone like that to throw it to,” Whitworth said. “I sure hope everybody knows who he is real quick.”