Barnes another Berkeley Prep target

Tampa (Fla.) Berkeley Prep defensive end Reggie Barnes claims seven offers as his senior season gets set to begin.

"I have offers from Pitt, FIU, VMI, Colorado State, Wofford, Presbyterian, and Air Force," Barnes said.

According to Barnes, at this time he is being shown the most attention by an in-state school.

"FIU has shown me a lot of interest," Barnes said. "Coach (Apollo) Wright is who I have been talking to most of the time but they all send me letters saying they want me there. They tell me they like me a lot. They want me to come down there and spend more time with them. They are interested in having me come in as a defensive end, or a rushing outside linebacker, to come off the edge."

During the summer months the 6-foot-2, 215-pound defensive prospect has had the opportunity to visit a few schools, but didn't make it down to Florida International.

"I visited Cornell, Army, Brown, and Florida a couple of times," Barnes said. "I have also been to Vanderbilt, because my brother (Archibald Barnes) goes there."

The attention shown by the Golden Panthers is likely going to lead them to receiving an official visit. They aren't the only school penciled in by Barnes for an official visit.

"I am looking to take my visits after our season, during the winter, basketball season," Barnes said. "I know I want to definitely check out Pitt and get down to FIU. Other than that I am going to see what offers I get, what comes along during the season, before I decide where else I am going to visit."

Barnes said a decision isn't likely to come until around Signing Day. He shared what he is looking for in his future home.

"Academics are definitely a big part of it," Barnes said. "I am definitely going to give academics a lot of attention when I make a decision. I want to find the right school with a good campus and a good atmosphere to play football in. I want to find the right coaching staff as well. The conference that I may be playing in could also have a small impact on it. That is mainly it."