GIBSON CITY — Bryce Barnes made a statement Thursday.
Two, really.
The first came in the form of a preferred walk-on offer he received from Illinois football, less than a week removed from the senior tight end/linebacker helping Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley to its second consecutive Class 2A state championship.
The second, Barnes delivered when expressing his appreciation for coach Lovie Smith's interest.
"A lot of schools don't look at a low-level school like us. We're small," Barnes said.
"Coaches don't think powerhouse kids come out of there. "I'm going to say this for a lot of our teammates: A lot of us are overlooked.