High 3-star cornerback Kosci Barnes commits to South Carolina

Dec 31, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) leads his team agains the Illinois Fighting Illini before the game at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

Greensboro (N.C.) Grimsley cornerback Kosci Barnes has been a Kentucky target for months. This recruitment ended on Saturday night when the high three-star prospect committed to another SEC school.

South Carolina secured a pledge from Barnes just before the start of fall camp. The Gamecocks have recorded a recruiting win over Kentucky, Rutgers, and Louisville.

BREAKING: Class of 2026 CB Kosci Barnes has Committed to South Carolina, he tells me for @rivals

The 6’3 195 CB from Greensboro, NC chose the Gamecocks over Kentucky & Miami

“I have no fear, only ambitions. Family first let’s Go Gamecocks.”https://t.co/41z0q3xalf pic.twitter.com/obI4z6ELaA
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 26, 2025

Kosci Barnes is the No. 584 overall player in the 2026 Rivals Industry Ranking. The 6-foot-2 cornerback is the No. 26 overall player in North Carolina. Kentucky will enter the season with two cornerback commitments in the class — four-star Jordan Crutchfield and three-star Isaiah McMillian.

Kentucky currently has 15 commits in the 2026 class.

Kentucky’s 2026 high school recruiting class

Player	Position	High School	Ranking
Matt Ponatoski	QB (6-2, 190)	Cincinnati (Ohio) Moeller	4-star (No. 242 overall)
Messiah Tilson	S (6-2, 165)	Rockford (Ill.) Guilford	4-star (No. 324 overall)
Jordan Crutchfield	CB (6-2, 195)	Vero Beach (Fla.) High	4-star (No. 390 overall)
Denairius Gray	WR (6-1, 170)	Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna	3-star (No. 402 overall)
Dallas Dickerson	WR (6-1, 180)	Bogart (Ga.) North Oconee	High 3-star (No. 537 overall)
Tyreek Jemison	iOL (6-5, 330)	Dallas (Ga.) Paulding County	High 3-star (No. 562 overall)
Lincoln Watkins	TE (6-4, 225)	Port Huron (Mich.) Northern	3-star (No. 609 overall)
Garrett Witherington	DL (6-4, 290)	Birmingham (Ala.) Briarwood Christian	3-star (No. 818 overall)
Isaiah McMillian	CB (6-0, 170)	Katy (Texas) High	3-star (No. 853 overall)
Ben Duncum	DL (6-5, 250)	Austin (Texas) Lake Travis	3-star (No. 894 overall)
Davis McCray	WR (6-2, 190)	San Antonio (Texas) Cornerstone Christian	3-star (No. 920 overall)
Prince Jean	WR (6-0, 170)	Valdosta (Ga.) High	3-star (No. 943 overall)
Cameron Miller	T (6-5, 310)	Hammond (Ind.) Morton	3-star (No. 963 overall)
Max Mohring	LB (6-3, 215)	Malvern (Pa.) Prep	3-star (No. 1,033 overall)
Delvecchio “Deuce” Alston II	RB (6-0, 200)	Trussville (Ala.) Hewitt-Trussville	3-star (No. 1,210 overall)