Cincinnati picks up first commitment

After visiting camps at Rutgers, James Madison and Cincinnati, wide receiver Marcus Barnett out of Baltimore (Md.) Douglass has committed to the Bearcats. The 6-foot-1, 160-pounder with 4.55-second speed went on to say what stood out about Cincinnati.

"They were looking at only taking a couple wide receivers and I was one of their top choices," he said. "I like the atmosphere and all the coaches seem like good people and they are willing to work with me. I like that the school is compact and everything is easy to get to. I particularly liked coach Narduzzi who's recruiting me and the fact that two of my friends go there, Thomas Claggett and Pat Mimms, so that'll help me out a lot as well."

One key that helped sway Barnett was that Cincinnati is headed into the Big East.

"I'm really excited about going into the Big East because that means we get to play Syracuse," he said. "I've got two of my friends there too in Quinton Brown and Matt Reid. I look forward to playing them and whooping up on 'em."

The wide receiver prospect is happy to have a decision behind him.

"It's like a big weight off my shoulders because I had this decision of committing to them or waiting to see if another school offers which isn't guaranteed. I decided to go with the offer because I like them," he said. "I'm really committed and I think the only school I'd go to other than them is Miami and I'm sure they're not looking at me. I doubt I'd even do that if they offered."

As for what he'll bring to the Bearcats program, Barnett hopes to add a lot.

"I can just bring another coachable player that is willing to learn from other people and be a leader on the field," he said. "I bring intensity and a player who is willing to do it all on every play."

It may not take long for the prospect to see the field, as the coaches mentioned early playing time for him.

This season, Barnett plans to attend many of Cincinnati's home games.

"I'm looking forward to watching their offensive line because you have to have that so that the quarterback has time to throw the ball," he said. "Other than that, I just want to watch the quarterback and see how the team does to get an idea of what I'll be going into when I get down there."

Barnett was named second-team all-WCAC as a junior.