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Honors & Awards
- 1979 3rd Round NFL Draft Pick (Cincinnati Bengals, 59th Overall)
- 1978 Lincoln Optimist Trophy Winner (Outstanding Offensive Lineman)
- 1978 Second Team All-Big Eight Honors (UPI)
1978 (Senior)
Barney Cotton was one of the most versatile Nebraska football players of his era. Following his standout collegiate career, he was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the NFL Draft. A talented offensive lineman, Cotton earned Second-Team All-Big Eight honors at guard and capped off his senior season with appearances in both the East-West Shrine Game on January 6 and the Challenge Bowl on January 13. In recognition of his outstanding play, he was also awarded the 1978 Lincoln Optimist Trophy as Nebraska's Outstanding Offensive Lineman. Barney helped the Huskers to the second ranked rushing offense in the Big Eight (337.7 ypg), just behind Oklahoma and the best overall offense with 501.4 yards per game. Nebraska finished the season with a 9-3 record and an appearance in the Orange Bowl against Oklahoma.
Barney played four different positions during his Husker career–1978, starting guard; 1977, starting defensive tackle; 1976, alternate center and in 1975 with the freshman team, he was a starting offensive tackle.
1977 (Junior)
Cotton was an alternate defensive tackle, finishing the season with 33 tackles, 12 unassisted and three tackles for a loss of 11 yards, along with two interceptions. Barney helped the Huskers to 302.5 rushing yards per game and 415.4 total yards per game, first in the Big Eight. He helped the Huskers finish with a 9-3 record and a Liberty Bowl win against North Carolina, 21-17.
1976 (Sophomore)
Barney played as an alternate center with the varsity. Nebraska finished the season with a 9-3-1 record and an Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl win over Texas Tech, 27-24.
1975 (Freshman)
Cotton played with the 1975 freshman team as the starting offensive tackle.
Omaha Burke High School (Omaha, Neb.)
Barney earned All-State football honors under Coach Larry Jacobson. He was majoring in distributive education and is the son of Dr. Richard and Barbara Cotton.