INDIANAPOLIS -- Georgia Tech defensvie tackle T. J. Barnes met with the media at the NFL combine on Saturday.

OFFICIAL NUMBERS: 6-6:02, 369 pounds

(BACKGROUND: Father, Terry Jones, played football at Auburn... cousins Fred Baxter and Randy Hart played football at Auburn... his brother, Beau Reliford, plays football at Florida State... chose Tech over Louisville, Alabama, Auburn and others... born June 14, 1990 in Montgomery, Ala... given name is Tarence Jariviz Barnes, but goes by T.J... has four teenage siblings... a business management major.)

Q: How was it like practicing against the triple option?

A: It worked out good. I was able to defeat the cut block a lot better than any other defensive lineman would going against the triple option.

Q:  Did you like practicing against it at first?

A: It was hard because when you first go against it, you hate it. Once you transition to the game, it’s not a big deal because you’ve been going against the (cut blocks) every day.

Q: (couldn’t hear)

A:  You have to be good both with your hands and your feet.

Q: Are you happy with the 369?

A: No, I want to lose about 10 more pounds and stay away from where I was a couple of weeks ago.,

Q: Where was that?

A: I was 378 at the Raycom all-star game.

Q: Is that the highest you’ve ever been?

A: Yes it was.

Q: Is that a concern for the guys here?

A:  It’s not a concern for me because I hide my weight well. When I take off my shirt, they are like where is the weight at. I still want to be comfortable and be able to play at 350 pounds.

Q: You have some NFL genes in the family, how much help is that going through this process?

A: My older brother, Beau Reliford helped me out a lot with this whole process and telling me what I need to do. For me, the process is a lot easier than it normally would be.

Q: Relying on them a lot?

A: Yes, I talk to my brother about this whole process every time that I get. He went through it last year and he just took me under his wing and told me what I need to do and how to go about.

Q:  (something about the triple option again)

A: A little bit. Being that the triple option is our offense we practice against it.  But after camp, we don’t see it that much. We focus on the pro-style and spread offenses and the things that we’ll see throughout the whole season.

Q: Are you more than a guy who can just take up blocks?

A: Of course. When I’m able to work out on Monday or Tuesday, they will be able to see that I am able to move for my size they’ll be more impressed with how I move. (The will think) he may be 369 pounds, but we’ll be able to work with them.

Q: Do you worry about being 369 pounds and it taking a toll on your health?

A: Yes I am kind of worried. But that’s something that I have to deal with. Eventually I’ll have to just keep losing weight and keep it under control. I’ll try to lose as much as I can once my playing career is over.

Q: Were you surprised that you beat USC in the Bowl game?

A: That’s one thing coach (Paul)  Johnson said, “We’re going to win this Bowl game.” That’s one thing we all believed in and that’s how we worked throughout the whole bowl season.

Q: Did you go up against USC player (name not heard)?

A: Yes. I felt like I dominated the whole game.