On defense as a safety he notched 115 tackles, nine pass deflections, four interceptions, and a forced fumble.

[2] Barnes made his collegiate debut in the 2022 Rose Bowl, replacing an injured Cameron Rising in the fourth quarter to throw the game-tying touchdown to tight end Dalton Kincaid with 1:54 left in the game, though the Utes fell to Ohio State 48–45.

[5] In week 8, Barnes earned his first career start going 17 for 27 on his passes for 175 yards and a touchdown in a 21–17 win over Washington State.

[6] In the 2023 Rose Bowl, Barnes again entered the game as relief after Cameron Rising went down with an injury, but in this Rose Bowl, Barnes struggled completing 10 of his 19 passes for 112 yards a touchdown and an interception, as Utah lost to Penn State 35–21.

[9] He entered the NCAA transfer portal on December 4, 2023,[10] although he still played for the Utes in the 2023 Las Vegas Bowl later that month.