Four-star DB Marcellus Barnes Jr. previews his upcoming commitment

Four-star Marcellus Barnes Jr. is ready to announce his decision. The defensive back out of Chattanooga (Tenn.) McCallie School was previously committed to Virginia Tech but is now set to commit to either Georgia, Ole Miss, or Syracuse during the All-American Bowl on Saturday.

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Georgia- "Georgia I feel like is pretty self explanatory," Barnes said. "They're back to back National Champions and they love to compete. I'd be able to play against the best of the best. My goal is of course to play in the NFL and I know that if I do go there then I'll be ready.

"Coach Fran leaving did affect (Georgia) a little bit, I'll be honest," he said. "Coach Fran was my guy and we've built a great relationship for a long time. He's welcome in my home, says my parents, at any time. I'm close with coach Muschamp, coach Smart and, of course, the recruiting staff too. I've been there the most because they're really close to home so I've been to a lot of games and been able to be around them and hang around them a lot."

Ole Miss- "I know Ole Miss can put up points but I know that coach Golding is really trying to bring that defensive mentality, that edge, that grit back and I know that they can do it," said Barnes. "Of course they're in the SEC also and they do play against some really good teams. I do know that, if I do go there, then I'll be able to compete and really get better. I've visited there three times but I didn't take my official visit because my dad had surgery and I really wanted him to come with me."

Syracuse- "Syracuse is really prioritizing me and I love that," he said. "A lot of people tell me I should go where I'm wanted and I feel like coach Fran has never stopped reaching out to me or checking on me on and off the field. He's like an uncle to me and that relationship and on and off the field is huge to me because I feel like I'm a person over a player. I know that I'll be able to really get better with my techniques and everything because coach Fran knows the ball really well.

"I was able to really get a feel for what the city and community is like during my visit," Barnes said. "I was able to really connect with coach Nick from Colorado and coach E from Texas A&M. I was able to build really good relationships with them and start that bond."

Barnes appears to be leaning towards Ole Miss or Syracuse heading into his decision. The Rebels weren't able to secure an official visit from Barnes but it might not matter because his relationship with new Syracuse head coach Fran Brown is so strong. The Orange have been picking up big time commitments from the high school ranks and from the transfer portal ever since Brown was named Syracuse's new head coach and Barnes could be the next one.