RUSTON, La. – Louisiana Tech redshirt freshman kicker/punter Jacob Barnes has earned a spot on the 2020 Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) Freshman All-American Watch List. Barnes joins Bulldog teammate Tyler Grubbs who was added to the watch list in October.
 
Barnes, a native of Baton Rouge, La., has earned both Conference USA and Louisiana Sports Writers Association Special Teams Player of the Week honors twice this season. He opened the 2020 campaign with eight straight made field goals which was the most makes to open a season by a Bulldog since Matt Nelson in 2012. Barnes made four field goals in the loss at UTSA (Oct. 24) to become the only C-USA kicker and one of 17 kickers in the nation to have made four field goals in a single-game this season. He made the game-winning 35-yard field in the double overtime victory over UAB (Oct. 31). He is currently 10-for-11 in field goals this season, including a career-long 51 yarder against Houston Baptist (Sept. 26).
 
Barnes has not missed an extra point attempt this season as he is 26-for-26 in PATs, including a career-high 9-for-9 against Houston Baptist (Sept. 26). The redshirt freshman also serves as Louisiana Tech's punter where he has averaged 37.2 yards per punt and had a career-long 53-yard punt in the win over UAB (Oct. 31).
 
There will be a list of seven semifinalists for FWAA Freshman of the Year released after the Dec. 12 games and then the three finalists will be announced after the Dec. 19 football games. The 20th annual FWAA Freshman All-American Team, along with the FWAA Freshman of the Year, will be announced in January.
 
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