Kentucky is a Finalist for one of the Best Available Defensive Backs in the Transfer Portal

by:Nick Roush•01/07/25•

RoushKSR

syracuse-db-transfer-marcellus-barnes-commits-smu-football-recruiting — Sep 20, 2024; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange defensive back Marcellus Barnes Jr. (7) celebrates a defensivee play against the Stanford Cardinal during the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Kentucky is fishing in the right waters. As we approach the start of spring semesters, the pool of players in the transfer portal narrows. The Wildcats are in the mix for the best of the best available.

Marcellus Barnes is ranked by On3 as the No. 11 overall player still on the market. He tells 247’s Chris Hummer that he will announce his final decision on Sunday and he will choose between Kentucky and SMU.

Barnes was a four-star, Blue Chip talent in the 2024 recruiting class. The No. 305 player in the On3 Industry Ranking made headlines when he announced his commitment to Syracuse at the All-American Bowl. Barnes originally committed to Georgia before deciding to follow Fran Brown to upstate New York.

Injuries limited the 6-foot corner to only five games for the Orange in 2024. The Chattanooga native had 11 tackles and three passes defended.

Barnes has led a relatively quiet portal recruitment. Kentucky will be competing against deep pockets in Dallas for this cornerback’s services.

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Barnes isn’t the only talented cornerback in the Wildcats’ crosshairs. Tamarcus Cooley is the sixth-best player available in the transfer portal. The N.C. State defensive back will visit Ole Miss, LSU, and Missouri before concluding his January tour with a Saturday in Lexington, Kentucky.

Zion Childress left a big void at the nickel position. Either one of these players could fill his absence.

Speaking of the best available players in the portal, the eighth-ranked athlete is former FCS EDGE Mi’Quise Grace. We learned today that he’s on an official visit to Mississippi State. He previously made trips to Cincinnati and Wisconsin. The Cincinnati native is expected to spend time at Georgia Tech before making a final decision.

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