Get to know 2025 signee Elijah Barnes
Whether you’re a diehard recruiting fan in need of a refresher or a casual fan in need of only the particulars, this will be the series for you.
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The first national signing day for college football begins December 4 and runs through December 6. This series gives you the chance to familiarize yourself with the next class charged with keeping Texas in a position of national prominence.
To win at a consistently high level means stacking talented class after talented class. The top-five 2025 class does just that following top-six finishes in the 2022, 2023, and 2024 classes.
On the first national signing day, Inside Texas will offer profiles of each member of the 2025 signing class. Up next, Elijah Barnes.
The Player: Elijah Barnes, LB, Dallas (Texas) Skyline
The Rating: 94.76 (four-star)
The Ranking: Barnes is ranked as the No. 56 overall prospect, the No. 3 linebacker, and the No. 13 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking. On3 ranks Barnes as the No. 34 overall prospect, the No. 1 linebacker, and the No. 10 player in Texas.
The Highlights:
The Recruitment: Texas established itself as the leader for Barnes early in the summer, and he never wavered. Despite brief interest from Ohio State and Oregon, a key meeting with new linebackers coach Johnny Nansen sealed the deal. Barnes and his family felt Texas offered the best place for both athletic and personal development, describing it as a “40-year decision.”
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Jackson Arnold
OU QB to enter transfer portal
- 2
Alabama flips LSU commit
Tide moves up the rankings
- 3New
Ben Herbstreit
POTUS sends heartfelt note
- 4
Lincoln Riley
USC coach talks job rumors
- 5Hot
Jahkeem Stewart
USC lands five-star DL
Having two former Longhorns, Peter Jinkens and Christian Scott, as coaches on his high school staff also influenced his choice. Their firsthand accounts of playing for Texas reinforced Barnes’ belief that the Longhorns were the right fit.
The Projection: Barnes is a true middle linebacker who excels on all three downs. His skill set includes
- Physicality: A downhill tackler who triggers quickly, takes on blockers, sheds them, and makes plays in the run game
- Coverage Ability: Effective in dropping into passing lanes in zone coverage
Texas sees Barnes stepping into the Anthony Hill role once he adjusts to the system. His physical tools and work ethic suggest he will thrive in offseason workouts and adapt quickly, especially as an early enrollee.
The Reasoning
- Barnes on Texas: “I love the culture and the opportunity that Texas will give me. I feel like I’ll be developed on and off the field. I’m coming to Texas at the right time because the train is about to leave the station.”
- Barnes on Nansen: “We have a great relationship and a great connection. He’s a great teacher and coaches with passion. I feel like he can get the most out of me. Every time I speak to him, it’s just encouragement or ways on how to improve.”
The Education
- Major: Business
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The Final Word: Texas needs depth at linebacker heading into 2025, especially after only taking one in the previous cycle (TyAnthony Smith) and potentially losing Hill to the NFL Draft after next season. Barnes provides an ideal solution, boasting the size and versatility Texas desires. As an early enrollee, he will have the chance to adapt to the system during spring practices, positioning him to contribute immediately in the 2025 season.
