Alabama QB transfers to Weber

One look at the Weber State football roster is all it takes to know the Wildcats do not have much experience or depth at quarterback.

That changed considerably over the weekend when Jimmy Barnes arrived in Ogden.

Barnes, a 6-5, 240-pound sophomore, officially transferred from powerhouse Alabama to Weber State, where he will have three years of eligibility and be set to play on Aug. 30 when the Wildcats open the season at Boise State.

"I'm very excited," Barnes said from his new apartment in Ogden. "Football is football. So there's not too much that's going to change with me. Every different situation will let you play football and you just have to make the best of it."

After announcing his intentions to leave Alabama a few weeks ago, the former Los Alamitos, Calif., star shopped himself around and finally settled on Weber State knowing the Big Sky plays at a high level in I-AA and that he'd have an excellent chance to earn the starting job.

"All the major schools in the country were after him. Not only does he have a strong arm, but he is a student of the game and makes intelligent decisions in the heat of battle," Weber State coach Ron McBride said. "His father was his high school coach and is one of the most respected coaches in California ... I have full confidence he will learn our system quickly and be ready to compete in fall camp."

Barnes, who arrived at WSU last Friday, has been busy making himself familiar with the Wildcat playbook. He's had daily workout sessions with teammates and thrown hundreds of balls to Weber State receivers already.

When camp opens in a few weeks, though, he will be trying to beat out sophomore Brad Leggatt, redshirt freshman Cameron Higgins and JC transfer Brendon Doyle for the starting position.

The only returning WSU player with an actual passing attempt, though, is offensive lineman David Hale who threw one incompletion on a trick play last year.

In typical quarterback fashion, Barnes said he plans on starting.

"It doesn't matter where I'm at," he said. "I expect to be the starter. But I also expect the other guys to think the exact same way, and we're going to have some competition."

Barnes completed his high school career by throwing for 2,615 yards and 37 touchdowns with 10 interceptions as a senior. He then played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, completing 7-13 passes for 117 yards as the West beat the East 35-3.