NC State S Brody Barnhardt learning through experience, remains starting strong safety in Week 4 at Duke

When NC State co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Charlton Warren arrived on campus this past winter, he didn’t walk into his position group with any premeditated thoughts of the personnel he was going to work with every day.  Instead, it was up to each individual to earn his trust to see the field this fall. Both safety spots were wide open, allowing anyone in the room to work their way into a starting spot this season. As fall camp wore on, it became clear that redshirt freshman Brody Barnhardt was one of the handful of defensive backs that caught Warren’s eye. Barnhardt, a former three-star recruit out of Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day, didn’t see any game action as a freshman in 2024. He was eager to find a way onto the field this season, and his effort on and off the field through spring practice and fall camp earned him that opportunity.  Through the Wolfpack’s first three games of the season — all wins — Barnhardt has seen his snap count increase each outing. He played 42 total plays in the opener before logging 48 in Week 2 against Virginia, both as a rotational safety and special teamer, but when NC State went to Wake Forest last Thursday, Barnhardt was promoted to starting free safety.