Mark Barnes names two leaders

[Guest gizmokt24]

This was on the scout ticker...

 

"Right now, I got about seven schools that stand out,” said Barnes. “That would be South Carolina, Notre Dame, Louisville, Virginia Tech, Maryland, LSU, and Auburn. Basically, they all have been recruiting me hard – harder than the other colleges.”

 

Among the aforementioned schools, two are currently battling it out for Barnes’ leadership position.

 

“I have two that are leading right now,” said Barnes. “That would be South Carolina and Notre Dame.

 

“[i like Notre Dame because] personally, the head coach Charlie Weis. He’s a real good coach. I like how he runs his offense – it’s balanced and they give the ball to the play makers.

 

“[i like South Carolina because] Steve Spurrier is also and excellent coach. He’s wonderful in how he calls he’s plays, and his offense, he’s a spread type coach. That’s real good for me if I want to be a wide receiver at the next level.”

 

Barnes hopes to solidify a top five in the near future, but plans to take trips to Louisville, Notre Dame, Auburn, Maryland, and Virginia Tech first. He also figures to attend a handful of summer camps with the only for sure destination being South Carolina.

 

A pure athlete, most college coaching staffs aren’t sure where to play Barnes and his 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame.

 

“They are basically recruiting me for both [wide receiver and safety],” said Barnes. “Whichever one the team really needs me at most, that’s where I’ll play. But most likely, I’d like to play wide receiver.”

 

As a receiver at Scout.com’s All-American Combine Barnes shined during one-on-one passing drills earning a spot on the All-Combine First Team.

 

“I felt that I did pretty good,” said Barnes. “I still have a couple of things that I need to work on. Really I feel that I can go up against any DB in the nation and still beat them out regardless if they are the top in the nation or not.”

 

As a junior at Columbia (S.C.) Richland Northeast, Barnes helped lead the Cavaliers to a 13-2 record and into the state championship game where they lost to Duncan (S.C.) Byrnes. At safety, Barnes made 80 tackles to go with five interceptions and twelve pass breakups. He also had 26 catches for 545 yards and 5 touchdowns on offense."

 

--My gut feeling is he ends up going to South Carolina. Two of his good buddies have already committed (Gray & Richardson), and I was hearing rumors that he might not even be able to qualify academically (any truth to those rumors?)

[Rockne3d 0]

Truly, I don't think this is going to happen. I think he is SC all the way. I believe he is Gray's teammate. ND hasn't even offered him. He'd be a nice catch but we have more highly regarded WR's that we already have offers to.

[chirodomer 47]

I think Kumara becomes Irish! My opinion, not from my source.

[Guest TDJesus3]

Barnes has an offer, however, we are recruiting him more at the athlete/safety position while South Carolina is recruiting him more to play wide out...I believe he picks S. Carolina

[Rockne3d 0]

I think Kumara becomes Irish! My opinion, not from my source.

 

Chiro, I agree completely.

[GwoodND 0]

Thats sounds good to me guys.

[IrishLeopard 0]

I think this might be a smart play by Spurrier, i think that he is having Barnes (along with Gray) say they are down to ND and South Carolina when he knows they are going to South Carolina. Ultimately, it makes South Carolina and Spurrier look good because he is "winning" a recruiting battle over ND and Coach Weis

[dangeruss 6]

i would love to have ND land mark barnes but grades will be an issue.

[Guest johnchampion]

I believe his situation is similar to that of Luther Davis...he has an offer based on his grades from here on out.

[Guest TDJesus3]

as usual im with broke on this one, I think he goes to S. Carolina

[Rockne3d 0]

BG is reporting today that Barnes had previously narrowed down his list but has now gone back to square one. This may be a good thing. If he was that strong on S. Carolina than I don't think he would start over. ND was previously in his top 2. I change my opinion on him, we may be in on this. By the way, his father has always been a Notre Dame fan.

 

He could be a big deal for many reasons. 1 is that he is a great football player and a great athlete who could play safety or WR. 2 is that he is Grays teammate. If Barnes commits to ND than maybe he convinces Gray to follow him. Obviously, this can work the other way also but I'd take my chances.

[Guest NDLawJAG]

I like Barnes because he is one of those kids that CW can fit where he is needed... he has the ability to play more than two positions at ND. Much like Michael Williams (safety/CB) and Edwards (Safety/Linebacker), he can be given the chance to play WR with the coaches knowing that they can always move him if he fits better elsewhere. Flexibility is important.

[Guest johnchampion]

I can only see Barnes following the company line and going to South Carolina with all of his buddies. But I also think he is more genuinely interested than Gary Gray was.

[Rockne3d 0]

I can only see Barnes following the company line and going to South Carolina with all of his buddies. But I also think he is more genuinely interested than Gary Gray was.

 

I hear ya John. I just wonder how strong his S. Carolina ties are since he started over. I think if he was real strong on S. Carolilna he would NOT have started over. To me, starting over is not a good thing for the local team--SC.

[GwoodND 0]

USC’s Steve Spurrier, Notre Dame’s Charlie Weis and Southern Cal’s Pete Carroll have made plans to see the Cavaliers’ highly rated wide receiver Mark Barnes (6-foot-3, 190 pounds). The Gamecocks and the Irish have been at the top of Barnes’ list along with Louisville,but Barnes talked on the phone for an extended period with Carroll last Friday, and the Trojans coach is expected to make Barnes an offer while in Columbia.

 

Weis picked up a huge commitment Saturday from quarterback Jimmy Clausen (6-4, 190) of Woodlake Village, Calif. Barnes had talked about going up for the Irish’s spring game but didn’t make the trip. Clausen and Barnes are friends and talk regularly, and no doubt Clausen will start working him for the Irish