2023 CB Khalil Barnes commits to Clemson: 'It was a no brainer'

Bogart (Ga.) North Oconee 2023 athlete Khalil Barnes wanted to do his due diligence. His heart has belonged to Clemson for a while.

He made his feelings public on Friday as he announced himself as a Clemson pledge over Notre Dame and Oklahoma.

Barnes has been building a relationship with Clemson for over a year. Once the offer came in this fall, it was hard for Barnes to hold off on jumping at the opportunity to play for Clemson. Clemson checked a lot of Barnes’ boxes.

“It was kind of a no-brainer,” Barnes told On3. “When I first got the offer, I liked it. I wanted to take things slow. The consistency was there with them, even when they hadn’t offered, the relationships and the talks with the coaches were the same as when they did offer. It wasn’t like they showed any fake love or anything like that. I feel like I can trust every person in that building. It was pretty easy.”

Barnes is Clemson’s 25th commit in the class of 2023. The Tigers have the No. 10 overall class in the 2023 Consensus Football Team Recruiting Rankings.

Barnes connected with the other 24 commits quickly throughout the process. He feels that the class has a chance to create something special in the coming years.

“It’s something special,” Barnes said. “I told coach (Dabo) Swinney on the official visit that I didn’t have to see any football or anything after being able to spend that much time with them. It’s going to be cool being with them for the next four years. I can see us winning a national championship. We have a lot of hidden talent in that group. The defensive line and the offense are going to be great when we get back to the top.”

What’s next for Khalil Barnes?

Barnes will sign on Dec. 21 and enroll at Clemson on Jan. 8. The Tigers have high expectations for Barnes early in his college career.

Barnes met with co-defensive coordinator Mickey Conn earlier this week to begin digging into the playbook. Barnes will play as a nickel early on.

“I’ve got to go in and compete and be ready to work,” Barnes said.

Dabo Swinney a key ingredient

Barnes fell in love with Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney’s approach to football. Barnes suffered a torn ACL in his sophomore season and looked to grow his faith in the years that followed.

Swinney has championed character and being the complete package in his program for years. Barnes took to that approach.

“You’ll hear all his players say he’s the same guy that he is in real life on social media and TV,” Barnes said. “That’s special to me. He’s a guy who puts faith first. A lot of coaches say a lot of stuff. I feel like coach Swinney could care less about winning. He just wants to build you into a man and build you into being a man of faith.”

Barnes feels Swinney’s approach can get the best out of him as a player.

“Every time I get near him, I’m just ready to run through a brick wall for him,” Barnes said. “He’s energetic but he does things the right way and I respect that about him.”