Jersey #: 4 (2010-13), 14 (2009)

Major: Criminology (2012-13), Undeclared (2009-11)

Weight: 203 (2013), 202 (2012), 190 (2010-11), 180 (2009)

2013 Media Guide: C.J. Barnett is one of three key returnees in Ohio State’s secondary and, in terms of experience, he is the most tested Buckeye on a team that features just four seniors on defense … a fifth-year senior, he enters his final season having played in 32 games and he has started 24 games, the most of any defensive player … this hard-hitting strong safety has more tackles the last two years – 131, including a team-leading 75 in 2011 – than all but one Buckeye (Ryan Shazier with 172) … his 83 solo tackles combined in 2011 and 2012 also rank second on the team, to Shazier’s 107 … his 140 tackles rank third among current Buckeyes … C.J. has twice been honored by the Big Ten Conference, earning honorable mention all-Big Ten honors in 2012 and second-team all-Big Ten accolades as a sophomore in 2011 … he started nine games in 2012, missing three others because of an ankle injury … he ranked fourth on the team with 56 tackles and his six pass break-ups helped the Buckeyes set a team record with 73 pass break-ups on the season … recorded a personal-best tying six solo tackles in the overtime
win at Wisconsin, part of an 11-tackle game … he ranked 13th in the Big Ten with .89 passes defended per game … his two interceptions last season – vs. Purdue and Michigan – increased his career total to four, including 2011 interceptions at Miami and vs. Michigan State.

2011: Came back strong from a knee injury suffered in 2010 to start all 13 games and led the Buckeyes with 75 tackles … named second-team all-Big Ten Conference by the league’s coaches in 2011 … was in on a career-high 12 tackles vs. Michigan and had a personal-best six solo tackles vs. Nebraska … recorded interceptions vs. Miami and Michigan State … also totaled eight tackles vs. Illinois and had seven tackles four times … ranked 19th in the Big Ten with eight total passes defended (two interceptions and six pass break-ups) … six pass breakups were second-most on the team.

2011 Media Guide: Capable secondary performer who made an impact last season on the Buckeye
defense before felled by injury … will work this spring at safety.

2010: Earned the strong safety job to start the season … right knee injury vs. Miami … subsequent surgery placed him out of action the remainder of the season … Jack Tatum big hit: Miami … academic all-Big Ten … first-year letterman.

2010 Media Guide: Talented secondary prospect who is increasing his impact on the Buckeye defense … will work behind Jermale Hines this spring at free safety.

2009: Saw limited action on special teams for the Rose Bowl and Big Ten champions … Top Ten Tenacious four times.

High School: Talented cornerback with all the tools … first team all-Ohio, all-Southwest Ohio, all-GWOC conference … recorded 65 tackles, 13 pass deflections and an interception as a senior for Coach Lance Schneider’s Thunderbolts … scored a rushing touchdown and also scored on a 65-yard punt return … captain as a junior and senior … Under Armour All-America game … Art Tainer and Archie Griffin awards … ESPNU 150 … Super Prep Midwest Top 30 … Rivals 250 … also played basketball and ran track at Northmont … student ambassador and Mock Trial programs.

Personal: Son of Yolanda and Tom Buskey … enrolled in March of 2009.