Barney grew up in Florida City, Florida and attended Miami Palmetto, where he played multiple positions on offense for the football team.[1] As a senior, he caught 15 passes for 135 yards and one touchdown, passed for 189 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed for 100 yards and one touchdown.[2]
Barney joined the Nebraska Cornhuskers as an early enrollee in January 2024.[5] He entered his freshman season as the team's primary kickoff returner.[6] Barney was named to the Jet Award watchlist prior to the start of the season.[7] He scored his first career touchdown on a ten yard rush in Nebraska's 34-3 win over Northern Iowa during Week Three.[8] During the 2025 season, Barney caught a 52-yard Hail Mary pass to end the half against Michigan. The miracle pass would go viral as the season went on. [9]