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2024 NIU Football Roster

Kenna Harbison
Kenna Harbison
Scott Walstrom, NIU
Scott Walstrom, NIU
Scott Walstrom, NIU
Scott Walstrom, NIU
Nate Manley
Lon Horwedel
Lon Horwedel

81 Grayson Barnes

  • Height 6-5
  • Weight 225
  • Class Senior
  • Position Tight End
  • Hometown Rocklin, Calif.
  • High School Rocklin
  • Prev School American River CC

Biography

2024

• Second on the team with 31 catches and led NIU with four touchdown grabs.
• Averaged 10.9 yards per catch with 338 receiving yards. 
• Made at least one catch in every game in 2024. 
• Recorded four catches of 25 yards or longer to lead NIU.
• Caught six passes, two for touchdowns, for 57 yards in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl win over Fresno State (12-23). 
• In the bowl game, made an impossible one-handed grab over a defender for a 26-yard touchdown that ended up on SportsCenter Top Plays.
• Second touchdown reception – for three yards - tied the game in the first overtime. 
• Tallied four catches against both Buffalo and Ball State.  
• Recorded a 32-yard touchdown catch from Ethan Hampton in the Huskies’ win over Akron (11-13).
• Completed a pass to long snapper Isaac Hatfield for a two-point conversion in NIU’s win at Bowling Green (10-12).
•  Led NIU with five receptions against Western Illinois (8-31) for season-best 95 yards. 
•  Scored on a 60-yard touchdown reception, the longest catch of his NIU career, in the Western Illinois game

2023
  • Second on the team with 422 receiving yards on 23 catches.
  • His 18.3 yards per catch average led the Huskies as did his five touchdown receptions.
  •  Made at least one grab in each of the first nine games of the season.
  • Top performance came in the Camellia Bowl win over Arkansas State (12-23) with five catches for 105 yards.
  • Gave NIU a 6-0 lead on the opening drive of the game with an 18-yard over the shoulder touchdown catch at the back of the end zone.
  • Had three catches for 65 yards on the opening drive and a 35-yard grab in the third quarter. 
  • Closed out the game by recovering ASU’s onside kick attempt to preserve the 21-19 win.  
  • Caught a 16-yard touchdown pass in NIU win at Kent State (11-25).
  • Scored on a 22-yard touchdown reception at Central Michigan (10-31).
  • Had three catches for 44 yards in win over Eastern Michigan (10-21).
  • Caught a season-long 58-yard pass for a touchdown against Ohio (10-14), finishing the game with two catches and 66 yards. 
  • Lone catch at Akron (10-7) was a 34-yard touchdown. 
  • Made three catches for 40 yards against Tulsa (9-23). 
  • Had two grabs for 31 yards in NIU debut at Boston College (9-2).

AMERICAN RIVER COLLEGE
Honors and Awards
  • Received All-America honors (2022)
  • All-Region
  • First team all-conference (2021, 2022)
Individual Stats
  • Caught 38 passes for 526 yards and four TDs in 11 games (2022)
  • Recorded 23 receptions for 381 yards and a touchdown in 10 games (2021)
Team Record
  • 8-4, 5-0 CCCAA (2022)
  • 6-5, 4-1 CCCAA (2021)
 
HIGH SCHOOL
Honors and Awards
  • Two-year varsity letterwinner (2018, 2019)
  • Team captain (2019)
  • Second team all-conference (2019)
  • Optimist All-Star Game athlete (2019)
Individual Stats
  • 2019: Caught 19 passes for 285 yards and three TDs
  • 2018: Made six catches for 113 yards with a touchdown
Team Record
  • Senior year: 7-4, 4-2 SFL
  • Junior year: 2-8, 1-5 SFL
Academics and Club/Sport Involvement
  • Golf student-athlete
  • Coached youth football for four years
  • Majoring in Sports Management

Statistics

Season Statistics

Season Statistics

No statistics available for this season.

Career Statistics

There are no statistics available for this player.

Historical Player Information

  • 2022-23Junior

    TE
    6'5" 215 lbs
  • 81

    2023Junior

    Wide Receiver
    6'5" 215 lbs
    81
  • 81

    2024Senior

    Tight End
    6'5" 225 lbs
    81