Iowa St. QB Barnett to transfer

Published Jan. 11, 2013 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Iowa State quarterback Jared Barnett won the biggest game in school history as a freshman.

By the end of his sophomore season, Barnett decided his time in Ames was up. Barnett, who went from the starter to a third stringer in just over two months, has decided to transfer after two seasons.

Cyclones coach Paul Rhoads announced Friday that Barnett and linebacker C.J. Morgan will continue their careers elsewhere

''Jared has had some great games in a Cyclone uniform and we will miss his character in the locker room and on the field,'' Rhoads said. ''We respect his decision.''

Barnett will be remembered best for throwing for 376 yards in a win over then-No. 2 Oklahoma State in 2011 that knocked the Cowboys out of the national title picture.

But Barnett could never quite take control of the starter's job. He lost it twice to senior Steele Jantz twice in 2012, while freshman Sam Richardson took over as the starter for the final two games of the season.

Though Richardson struggled in a 31-17 loss in the Liberty Bowl to Tulsa, he likely would have entered spring ball ahead of Barnett on the depth chart. The Cyclones will also have redshirt freshman Grant Rohach next season, but Barnett's departure will hurt the program's depth at quarterback.

Barnett, who grew up in Garland, Texas, threw for 1,825 yards and 12 TDs at Iowa State.

Rhoads said Morgan has some health issues with his family and is looking to play closer to home. Morgan made just 12 tackles as a redshirt sophomore in 2012. But he could have pushed for a starting spot in 2013 with the graduation of stars Jake Knott and A.J. Klein.

''Family is always first and we wish him the best,'' Rhoads said.