High 3-star cornerback Kosci Barnes commits to South Carolina

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.
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) |
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