Transfer Portal Bio Blast: Marcellus Barnes Jr.

The winter transfer portal window closed on Dec. 28. We’ve seen some heavy player movement in this free agency period. Teams are working rapidly to close these fast-paced recruitments and are currently hosting prospects on visits before the spring semester begins.

Kentucky is a finalist along with SMU for an ACC transfer with three years of eligibility remaining. Who will Marcellus Barnes Jr. pick on Sunday?

Syracuse CB transfer Marcellus Barnes Jr. (@marcellus_jr) tells @247SportsPortal he's considering Kentucky & SMU with plans to announce this Sunday.

Barnes, the No. 9 available transfer, posted 11 tackles & 3 passes defended as a true freshman in 2024.https://t.co/66RhoSQshb pic.twitter.com/Gbv5CSPxtI

— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) January 7, 2025

We’ve seen Kentucky be active in the cornerback market this offseason. Will Barnes become the second addition at the position after the Wildcats added Maryland transfer Kevis Thomas? We should find out very soon.

KSR’s Transfer Portal Bio Blast is taking a closer look at the ACC transfer with three years of eligibility remaining.

East Tennessee to Central New York

Marcellus Barnes was a four-star prospect in the 2024 recruiting cycle out of Chattanooga (Tenn.) McCallie School. The defensive back helped lead his team to a state championship as a senior and finished that year with 56 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and five interceptions. Was also a track standout who clocked 10.54 in the 100 meters.

Barnes took official visits to Michigan State and Virginia Tech the summer before his senior season. The Hokies secured a June commitment that would last until November. Georgia ramped up the heat during the season with defensive backs coach Fran Brown building a relationship with the four-star prospect who On3 had ranked inside the top 200. Barnes soon followed when Brown moved to Syracuse.

The defensive back committed to Syracuse during the All-American Bowl in January and became an early enrollee for Brown’s first team at Syracuse.

Early performer at Syracuse

Marcellus Barnes Jr. did not have to wait long to make an impact in year one at Syracuse. As a true freshman, the cornerback played 63 total snaps in the first two weeks, but played only six snaps in game three, and then missed the Orange’s next three games. Barnes returned to the lineup in the middle of ACC play, but would only play in two games before being ruled out for the rest of the season.

In his only collegiate season, the cornerback finished the year with 11 tackles and three pass breakups in 133 defensive snaps over five games.

Luckett’s scouting notebook

Marcellus Barnes Jr. is a cornerback transfer with three years of eligibility remaining. The defensive back should immediately compete for snaps at his next destination after making a splash in year one at Syracuse.

This is my scouting write-up on the ACC transfer.

Marcellus Barnes (6-1, 180) is a young outside cornerback with long arms and the ability to cover ground quickly. Played a high volume of off coverage (mostly in zone) at Syracuse but showed the ability to trigger close ground downhill. Owns good play speed. Must play more physical against press and had some issues finishing tackles in space.

Young cornerback with length and fluid movement skills. Needs to add size, strength, and experience, but all of the physical tools are there to become a productive power conference starter.