Barney grew up in Florida City, Florida and attended Palmetto High School, where he played multiple positions on offense for the football team.[1] As a senior, he caught 15 passes for 135 yards and one touchdown, passed for 189 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed for 100 yards and one touchdown.[2]
Barney was rated a four-star recruit committed to play college football at Nebraska over offers from Miami and Texas A&M.[3]
College career
Barney joined the Nebraska Cornhuskers as an early enrollee in January 2024.[4] He entered his freshman season as the team's primary kickoff returner.[5] Barney was named to the Jet Award watchlist prior to the start of the season.[6] He scored his first career touchdown on a ten yard rush in Nebraska's 34-3 win over Northern Iowa during Week Three.[7]