Duke adds speed at wide receiver
Fort Myers (Fla.) Dunbar three-star wide receiver Johnell Barnes has been on a tour of college campuses this week. On Tuesday, he found his future home.
"I committed to Duke," Barnes said.
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The 5-foot-11, 154-pound wide receiver chose the Blue Devils over offers from Akron, Ball State, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Connecticut, Florida International, Hawaii, Iowa State, Massachusetts, Northwestern, and Western Kentucky.
"They showed me the most interest really," Barnes said of choosing Duke. "They were on top of me. They had everything that I needed. They showed a lot of interest."
Barnes is a serious student in the classroom. The prestige of a diploma from Duke played as big of a role as playing in David Cutcliffe's offense.
"It has the right balance of academics and athletics," Barnes said. "Academically, you know you have to hit the books, but it is a great opportunity. They produce great students and great people. I want to be one of those great people that they build."
He also sees an opportunity on the field.
"I looked at their depth chart plenty of times and I saw that they are lacking at receiver," Barnes said. "I think I can be a great fit for Duke University football.
"I've talked a lot with the wide receivers coach (Matt Lubick)," Barnes added. "He has told me he will use me on the outside and the inside. He just told me he wanted that speedy guy that just made their offense great. He thinks I can be that speed guy."
Barnes had 35 receptions for 700 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior.