By Jack Fitzpatrick

Alonza Barnett ran out of the tunnel and through the giant Duke Dog on September 2, 2023 as the QB1 for the James Madison Dukes. He was the only freshman, or redshirt freshman, starting for a team that was ranked in the AP Top 25 the year prior. 

This was a potentially program defining moment. 

Until it wasn’t. 

Barnett would go 3 for 11 passing for just 15 yards and an interception against Bucknell, an FCS program. He was benched in the second half for Jordan McCloud, who would go on to win the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year award. 

The next 11 months would be a whirlwind, both for Barnett, who slid down the depth chart, and the program. Curt Cignetti left, Jordan McCloud left and it was a new opportunity for Alonza Barnett III to regain his confidence and compete for the starting QB job again. This time against University of Washington transfer Dylan Morris. 

During JMU Football Media earlier in August, I sat down with Barnett to talk about his journey. Starting with last Fall Camp all the way to today. 

Jack: You’ve had an unorthodox college career. You don’t see it often, let alone seeing the guy stick around for another year after everything that happened. So starting at the top, why did you decide to say? 

Alonza: I was obviously unproven and in this day and age of the transfer portal, it is easy to run away from it. 

It’s easy to try to find the easy way out. With the uncertainty of the transfer portal and the staff turnover, this was like entering the portal itself. I really love the school. I love the proximity from home, and it was secure and I just wanted to prove myself. 

Jack: So rewinding to last year’s camp around this time, you’re battling with Jordan McCloud. We learned that you were the week one starter against Bucknell. What was that experience like? Just being a redshirt freshman, getting that nod from the coaching staff?

Alonza: That’s a really cool experience and not often do you see a redshirt freshman get a chance when you have a proven vet come into a program via the transfer portal.

I can’t thank them enough, because they not only gave me an opportunity to play at the Division I level, but believed in me enough to go out there on the field as a redshirt freshman and improve myself. 

It was definitely a surreal experience. Packed stands, purple, screaming, yelling. It’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

Jack: What happened in that first half? 

Alonza: That was just inexperience. Trying to do too much. 

Looking back on it, I didn’t have that mental or emotional stability that you needed to handle those highs and lows in the game. So when the lows hit, you know, from there, it was just low for me.

Jack: How did you react to hearing the comments made in that post game press conference? And then the handling of the situation from the coaching staff as the season went on?

Alonza: I try to stay away from social media and things like that, but obviously I ended up getting wind of it. It’s a business. I don’t take things personally. Like I said, he gave me an opportunity to go out there, so I’m nothing short of grateful for that. 

From there, I didn’t handle myself well. From there, a negative attitude, not doing my best work out there on the field and at the end of the day they’re providing for their families. They’re doing whatever’s best. 

Jack: I know you said that the transfer portal in this era, there’s uncertainty. You’re kind of unproven. Not a lot of game film, but was there ever a thought during last season of leaving?

Alonza: No. Like I said, especially for the quarterback position, that game film is everything. 

There’s rarely times where you can replicate game-like reps for quarterbacks. We don’t get hit in practice. Your arm doesn’t get hit. Defenders aren’t allowed to throw their hands up, wave them in your face. So it’s really different. And as a young guy, that game film is critical, for anything, not just the portal, but even for the NFL at the next level. 

Jack: Now, going into this offseason, another transfer quarterback brought in, a new coaching staff entirely. What was this offseason like? 

Alonza: I really saw it as a fresh start. It kind of reminded me of freshman year. Todd [Centeio] coming in as a transfer, having that older veteran guy, and I saw this as being a true freshman all over again. 

Learning from that experience, trying to pick the brain of a guy like Dylan Morris, who is experienced, has played in the big games, has seen big stadiums and things of that nature. For me, I’m really treating this as a fresh start and just trying to continue to work and get better. 

Jack: What’s that quarterback room like?

Alonza: Obviously, it’s tough because there’s only one quarterback that plays, and it’s not like a receiver or running back where multiple guys get in there, they’re playing.

One thing that [offensive coordinator] Coach Kennedy has emphasized, he said, “Look, everybody’s going to have a specific role this year. Everybody’s going to and you might not be happy with your playing time, but don’t let that impact the rest of the guys.” Because the guy that started already feels like a ton of pressure. And if you don’t feel like you have the backing of your quarterback room. But then it’s a pretty terrible feeling, I’d assume. 

It’s just making sure that we have that open communication, like I said, learning from Dylan, learning from Billy, asking what they might see on what practice reps, is really important.

Jack: What have you learned from your freshman year? Your redshirt freshman year? What have you learned from all of that and brought it into today? 

Alonza: That mental and emotional stability was a big part. 

The holistic approach, just being a better person, being grateful and thankful for every situation that you may encounter or opportunity that you get. Because people would love to be in that position, to play a half of Division I football, no matter how good or how bad it was. 

You know, there are people out there going through a lot worse. So for me to experience something of a misfortune through the game of football, yeah, at the end of the day is nothing in comparison. 

Jack: And watching you in practice these last few, I guess, 10 days or so, looks like you got the confidence back, you’re slinging it out there. But what did it take to regain that confidence? 

Alonza: It took all the support staff that I had, my family, my friends, my mentor. You know, just managing those emotions and things of that nature. God works things out in mysterious ways. It’s rare in life that you get a second chance and a second opportunity. 

I’ve had a ton of people in my corner supporting me, backing me. That gives me the confidence not only in myself, but in the people around me.

Jack: And when you get to be QB1 again, what will your mindset be as you take the field?

Alonza: Fearlessness. 

Things happen for a reason, and you can only learn from that. You can only learn from that. You can only grow, you can only get better. So, just that sheer focus on, ‘it’s like practice.’ You know, you might get hit a little bit, but after that first hit, you know you’ll be fine. But just focused and determined and hungry and proving myself right.

Featured image via JMU Athletics Communications