SAN ANTONIO - Syracuse and new head coach Fran Brown continue their rise up the team recruiting rankings thanks to a commitment from four-star defensive back Marcellus Barnes Jr. The Chattanooga (Tenn.) McCallie School standout just announced his commitment to the Orange during the All-American Bowl. Barnes chose Syracuse over Ole Miss and Georgia.
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"Syracuse (was) really prioritizing me and I love that," Barnes said earlier this week. "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 (Williams) from Colorado and coach E (Elijah Robinson) from Texas A&M. I was able to build really good relationships with them and start that bond."
Landing Barnes is a major boost for Syracuse. He is just the second defensive back in Syracuse's 2024 recruiting class but he is the ninth prospect to choose the Orange since Brown was named head coach. He's also the third four-star to commit during that span.
Brown clearly laid the groundwork for this commitment during his time at Georgia and that strong relationship has carried over to Syracuse. The trip that Barnes took to Syracuse in December obviously paid dividends for the Orange since he left that visit feeling comfortable in that environment.
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