Penn State commit Kiandrea Barker talks season, Nittany Lions pledge
Things didn’t quite go to plan for Penn State Class of 2025 running back commitment Kiandrea Barker this fall. The junior moved from Beebe (Ark.) to The Woodlands (Texas), but was unable to suit up for his new squad upon doing so.
“When I transferred, I didn’t tell anybody yet and I posted that I had transferred and they used an image of me in a Beebe jersey,” he explained. “The head coach at my old school didn’t like that. He wanted me to stay and he was mad that I left. He still wanted me to play for him. I get it, but he had to sign me off. He put that when I transferred that I went for athletic purposes, which got the UIL [University Interscholastic League] involved.
“In Texas, they don’t play. The UIL is big about recruiting players when you’re not a private school. So that got them involved and I had to miss out on my whole season.”
Barker’s attempt at securing a waiver from the UIL was unsuccessful and he missed the entire 2023 regular season. By the time playoffs rolled around, Barker was eligible to play but he carried just six times. The Woodlands fell to eventual state champ Duncanville in late November.
“When the playoffs started they said it was like another season,” said Barker. “They didn’t want to put me in over the players that were playing all season and I get that. The second game they gave me three carries and I got three first downs.”
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The 5-foot-11.5, 185-pounder committed to Penn State back in April. The No. 24 running back in the Class of 2025 has remained solid to the Nittany Lions ever since.
“I’m still locked in there with Penn State,” he said. “They know the whole situation and they’re still with me on it. I don’t even care about other colleges right now. I’m so locked in with Penn State that I’m not even worried about it.
“I’ve talked to [Ja’Juan] Seider, the new OC they just hired [Andy Kotelnicki] and coach [James] Franklin. They told me you control what you can control. They know I’m a beast and they’re still behind me with everything.”
For now, Barker’s focus is on coming back strong in his senior season. He’ll play 7-on-7 this summer and get after it again next fall.
“Next season, I’m coming hard,” he said. “Everyone’s going to feel me for missing this last season.”
