PORT ARTHUR —   Things have gotten a little more physical this season for Port Arthur Memorial senior safety Jalen Barnes, and he’s okay with that.

  The 6-foot-1, 185 pound Barnes played last season at cornerback for one of the best defenses in school history. Still, as good as he was, the Titans lockdown defensive scheme with four future collegiate-level linebackers often didn’t let him show his more physical playing style.

  “When we had (Davonte) McMillian and those guys, not much got outside,” Barnes said. “So, I didn’t get much of a chance to show off my physical side. People were saying that I have the size to be a physical player on the field. I’ve also got good hands, so I can get a few interceptions out there too.”

  That’s changed this season, as Barnes moved from cornerback to safety in the Titans new 4-2-5 defense. He’s gotten plenty of chances to use that big frame to be more physical, with 10 tackles through the first three games and five pass-breakups (PBUs) to lead the team.

  “It was a pretty easy transition,” Barnes said. “It’s all about making plays and that’s what I do. It wasn’t really hard getting used to safety. But, I had my times when it was like my first time playing the position, but it wasn’t too hard.”

  Port Arthur Memorial head coach Kenny Harrison echoed those sentiments, saying that the transition for Barnes has gone very smoothly. In fact, he called Barnes the most consistent player on the defense this season.

  “Right now, he’s been our most consistent player on defense,” Harrison said. “He’s very aggressive against the run. He’s a great cover guy. We moved him from corner to free safety because he’s a tall, rangy kid. But, he has the ability to play linebacker and the cover skills to play defensive back, so he’s a hybrid. He’s just a great athlete who can do a lot of different things. I feel real good about him being our last line of defense. He has great range and great ball skills.”

  Big, physical defensive backs are tough to find. Because of that, they are usually high on any college recruiter’s priority list. But, because of his play last season, Barnes felt he had something to prove this year to those recruiters.

  “I believe that’s why I haven’t gotten as many scholarship offers, because I couldn’t show off that physical side (last season),” Barnes said. “Now, if they come in and see my highlights, they’ll be able to see a lot more of that. Hopefully, that helps.”

  It’s not just his play on the field that the Memorial coaching staff appreciates. Part of the reason for his easy transition has been his work ethic in preparing each week for his opponent.

  “Jalen is a leader by example,” Harrison said. “He works extremely hard and does everything we ask him to do. He’s a leader on and off the field. He’s one of the hardest working kids I’ve been around. He pays attention to detail and spends a lot of time watching film. He comes in early in the morning just to watch film. He spends a lot of time on his own getting ready for each opponent, before the coaches even talk to them each week.”

  The move to safety has helped tremendously in getting him noticed by colleges. Barnes was featured earlier this week by ESPN.com and discussed the offers he has from Tulsa, Utah and Iowa State. Those aren’t the first, it seems, as more and more recruiters and coaches have begun to notice his play.

  “I have a few offers right now,” Barnes said. “Utah, Iowa State, Mississippi State, North Texas, San Jose State, Kansas and Tulsa all have offered me. I’ve been getting a few calls from other schools. Arkansas came in last night, Michigan State has been calling and Ohio State. I like the attention, so I can’t complain.”

  Barnes’ time at cornerback isn’t entirely over, as the Titans figure to utilize him there if they go up against a team with tall receivers like Manvel. However, Barnes feels his ultimate home in college is at safety.

  “Now that I’m playing safety, I know how it feels,” Barnes said. “I’m more comfortable back there, coming downhill and keeping everything in front of me. I feel my stronger position is at safety. I can go out there and be a dominant corner also.”

  Much like the receiving corps, the defense has become  a tight-knit group. One of the biggest boons for Barnes in last week’s game was the return of safety Darius Lemora. The two started together in the Titan secondary as juniors before Lemora broke his leg in the playoffs.

  “Darius coming back lifted Jalen’s confidence,” Harrison said. “They have a huge amount of respect for each other, so getting him back took Jalen to the next level. The secondary spends a lot of time together in the summer, working on their own and working out. They were competing against each other and getting better, and I’m just excited about all of those guys and what they bring to our defense.”

  His play may be improved this season, but the biggest area where Barnes may be helping is in being a leader for the defense. He is one of just a handful of players returning from the state semifinal game against Cibolo Steele and said that he’s learning how to be more vocal in that role.

  “We made it to the fifth round last year and not many of these guys played there,” Barnes said. “We just have to let them know that that’s where we want to get back to and we have to work hard to get there. Being a vocal leader is what I’m working on right now.”

  TITAN TIDBITS: The son of Andretia Jones, Barnes is still looking for his first interception of the season. The Titans are currently on a three-game streak with at least one pick, and junior cornerback James Jenkins leads the team with two. … Barnes leads all defensive backs in tackles this season with 10. He also has three more PBUs than second place, as C.J. Levine and Devin Cockrell each have two. … Barnes and the Titans will be going up a dynamic receiver this week in Bellaire’s Devin Lauderdale, but he will not shift down to cover the slot receiver. Instead, he’ll play his usual role at safety, providing help over the top.