Vocal Leader, Relentless Worker: Caden Barnett Sets the Tone for Wyoming’s Line
- Jeff Bugher
- Nov 9, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Nov 10, 2025
LARAMIE, Wyo. - Standing at 6-foot-5, 320 pounds, hailing from Justin, Texas, Wyoming senior offensive lineman Caden Barnett tells us football has always been a way of life. Barnett has been in the sport since kindergarten.
“I started playing tackle football when I was five,” Barnett said. “That’s how it is in Texas. So I’ve been playing for 17 years.”
From Running Back to the Offensive Front..and Other Sports
Nowadays, he stands on Wyoming’s offensive front, yet Barnett’s football journey looked a bit different growing up.
“I played both sides,” he said. “Actually, I played running back up until ninth grade, and then I got moved to offensive line.”
The transition didn’t slow him down. By his sophomore year at Northwest High School in Texas, Barnett played on varsity, a major achievement in a state where high school football is almost a religion. Barnett noted that in Texas, they play in stadiums the size of college stadiums.
In addition to football, Caden also wrestled, powerlifted, and threw disc. Barnett made it to the state tournament in wrestling and powerlifting.
Lessons from His Dad
Barnett’s early lessons in football came not from a coach, but from his father. “My dad taught me with coins on the table - like the quarters as a lineman, the dime as a QB,” he said. “I’ve loved it ever since.”
Barnett credits his father, Charles Barnett, for shaping him into the player he is today.
“I remember that I was a troublemaker when I was younger,” he laughed. “I was always getting in trouble in school, and my dad used to… instead of grounding me, make me do exercises. I would do like six inches for five minutes, and then four minutes, and then three minutes. And that’s kind of what built mental toughness in me.”
Caden said his father was unable to play college football. “He played football until his junior year and then he blew out his knee,” Barnett said. “So I think he kind of lives vicariously through me.”
The Wyoming Way
Barnett’s recruiting journey to Laramie came during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time that made recruiting and visits anything but easy.
“I honestly had no idea what was going on during recruiting,” he said. “It was during COVID, so I didn’t go on any visits or anything. I remember I talked to Coach Moore a lot - he was the guy that recruited me. I just loved the culture.”
But it was one phone call that sealed it. “I talked to Coach Bohl on the phone and he said, ‘I’m not going to lose any sleep if you don’t come here. We are a football program, and if you love football, this is where it’ll go. Because that’s what we do here - we play Wyoming football.’”
Barnett smiled as he recalled that moment. “As soon as he said that, it was a pretty easy decision.”
The move to Laramie
No snazzy visit, no special tour. The first time Barnett ever saw Wyoming in person was move-in day
.
“My first time in Laramie was moving day into the dorms,” he said. “So I’d never seen the place. I was pretty blown away by the facilities. I think we have a great culture here, and I have fallen in love with Laramie - the culture and the pride that comes with Wyoming. I loved it right away.”
Mentors and Leaders
Barnett has been mentored and leaned on older teammates to learn the ropes, including one who plays on Sundays for the Denver Broncos.
“I think that Frank Crum was a huge mentor for me,” he said. “You come in and you see an older guy and the only thing you can do is follow what they do. Honestly, coming in with Jack Walsh, I think we’ve kind of bounced off each other. He came in way more technically sound than me, and I came in with more understanding in the weight room. We kind of taught each other about our strengths and weaknesses.”
Barnett also had high praise for Wyoming’s coaching staff.
“I cannot say enough about Coach Joe Tripodi [offensive line coach],” he said. “He’s one of those coaches who won’t always scream and yell, though he’ll do that sometimes, but he really understands because he played. He was an offensive lineman, so he understands what we’re going through.”
When it comes to head coach Jay Sawvel, Barnett’s has a deep respect. “I remember my freshman year, he was the defensive coordinator and came up to me and said, ‘I love the way you work and I want you to know I’m your biggest fan.’ I’ve never forgotten that,” Barnett said. “It’s kind of cool, full circle, how he became head coach and how I have such a good relationship with him now.”
Leading from the Front with his Voice
Now a senior, Barnett has embraced his role as one of Wyoming’s vocal leaders.
“I’m a very vocal guy,” he said. “I struggle to sit back and watch stuff. I love being involved. So if that takes getting into somebody — whether that be yelling at them or showing them what to do - I’m going to do that because I know where a program can be and I know what I want it to be.”
He added, “I take that from my dad. That’s how my dad was growing up. He always had something to say, and I always have something to say now.”
A Texas-Sized Memory…In Wyoming
His favorite memory as a Cowboy? Barnett didn’t hesitate.
“My greatest memory is Texas Tech,” he said. “That was my second start ever, and I was going against Miles Cole - he ended up getting drafted. …And it was Texas Tech - they didn’t offer me. So that was kind of like a revenge game for me.”
He laughed as he recalled the nerves. “I remember being so nervous. I false-started the first play of the game. That’s how nervous I was. But it was just great memories with the dudes, and I’m excited to make more.”
Family and Football
Family means everything to Barnett, especially the support of his parents, Charles and Shannon, who make long drives from Justin, Texas, to see him play.
“I mean, it makes me want to cry because it is very hard for them to be able to come up here,” he said. “They drive the 15 hours to the game…and 15 is being nice too. I wish I could express to them how thankful I am for that, because they don’t have to do that, and they do it because they love me.”
A Continuation of Barnett Family Pride
Caden smiled with pride when talking about his younger sister, Landrie Barnett, a senior volleyball star at Northwest High School in Justin, Texas. Landrie also plays volleyball for Fieldhouse Volleyball Club in Northlake. She currently has college offers from West Texas A&M and the University of Texas - Tyler.
“She’s an animal,” Barnett said. “She says she’s 6’2, but I think she’s between 6’1 and 6’2. It’s been so cool to see her competitive nature flare up. The way she feels about volleyball is how I feel about football. I love seeing it - I’m her biggest fan.”
Future Plans
Barnett recently graduated with a degree in American Studies and is now pursuing a degree in psychology, with plans to stay in football long after his playing days at Wyoming are over.
“The NFL has always been my dream,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to play in the NFL. Honestly, I want to be a part of football for the rest of my life, whether that’s the NFL, coaching, strength conditioning coach, whatever I can do to be with the players and be around football.”
Just for Fun
There’s no In-N-Out and Whataburger debate with Barnett. He rattled off his order without skipping a beat. “I love Whataburger,” he said with a grin. “Sweet and spicy bacon burger -that’s my go-to. Comes with two patties, I’ll add one, add mayonnaise, large fry, and usually a Dr. Pepper shake.” Caden has been known to use DoorDash or have family bring him a Whataburger whenever the team stays in an area where there’s a franchise.
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