Ryder Barnes, a 17-year-old SoCal football player, has passed away suddenly at the age of 17, according to Mustangs head coach Tim Skipper. Barnes, who had only recently committed to Cal Poly, was described as an exceptional young man with a bright future and a lasting impact both on and off the field. He had earned widespread recognition for his dominance as a defensive end, earning Epsilon League Defensive Player of the Year and All Orange County and Defensive MVP accolades. Despite these accolades, Barnes remained deeply rooted in his family and was remembered as a loyal teammate and friend throughout his community.