Marcellus Barnes decommits from Virginia Tech, talks new contenders

Chattanooga (Tenn.) McCallie cornerback Marcellus Barnes is no longer committed to Virginia Tech. After taking an official visit to Blacksburg in June, the 5-foot-11.5, 170-pounder committed to the Hokies.

On June 12, Barnes had that feeling about Virginia Tech. It stayed with him throughout the summer and into the start of his senior season, but over time, he started to feel like he may have rushed his decision. He has decided to back off that pledge to the ACC program Brent Pry coaches and open his recruitment back up.

“This has been on my mind lately, and after talking to my family about it, opening things back up is what we feel is best for me,” Barnes told On3. “I have not been able to get back to Blacksburg and I have been taking other visits, so I wanted to re-think things and make sure of my decision in December.”

Florida and Florida State have started to show more interest. Wisconsin has reached out. But since Barnes released his senior film, two SEC schools have turned it up a notch and become the favorites.

“Georgia and Ole Miss have been very consistent with me, but since I put out the new film, they have come even stronger. They are my top two schools now. I have been to two games at both schools this season and I am talking to their coaches a lot.”

He is in no rush to make a final decision.

“I am going to take it into December,” Barnes added. “It will come down to how I bond with the staff and how my family feels about it. Who I feel will develop me the most and help me accomplish my goals will factor into my decision too.”

Barnes talks Georgia and Ole Miss

Barnes is now looking to lock in official visits to Athens and Oxford in December. He is talking to almost the entire staff at Ole Miss. Lane Kiffin and Pete Golding are very involved. Kirby Smart and Fran Brown lead the way for Georgia.

The Bulldogs and Rebels have given him a lot to think about.

“I have visited Georgia five times and they have shown consistent love,” Barnes said. “Me and my parents love how professional they have been. They have been pushing for me, checking on me off the field and it is hard to go wrong with Georgia. I love their energy, their intensity and they have the best defense in the nation.

“I love the coaches at Ole Miss. Their offense is electric and they are eager to get that winning mind-set on defense. Coach Golding is a master-mind on defense and we have bonded from the beginning. Coach Kiffin has that competitive edge and he is building something at Ole Miss.”