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Four-star cornerback Dorian Barney commits to Michigan

On3 imageby:Ethan McDowell•07/05/25•

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Dorian Barney
(Photo courtesy of Dorian Barney's Twitter)

Dorian Barney, the nation’s No. 199 prospect, committed to Michigan over Penn State, Texas A&M and many others Saturday afternoon. The heavily recruited cornerback from Carrollton (Ga.) High visited Ann Arbor several times this year as the Wolverines surged to the top of his recruitment. 

At one point early in his high school career, Barney pledged to Alabama. Texas A&M was the heavy favorite for months earlier this year, and then Penn State grabbed the momentum after an official visit in May. 

The 6-0.5, 170-pound cornerback spent Victors Weekend with Michigan and, by all accounts, that trip helped solidify the program as the team to beat in his recruitment. Secondary coach LaMar Morgan is his primary recruiter. He clicked with the four-star rising senior, who can see himself making plays in the Wolverine defense. 

“I think I could fit in that defense,” Barney said. “They run a similar defense to us. Their practice is very detailed, just like us. We take it very serious over here. I feel like I could just fit in there really good, and I could come in there and make an impact early as a freshman.”

His first trip to Michigan for a spring practice left a lasting impression. Barney holds offers from Georgia, Ohio State, Clemson, LSU, USC, Miami and many others, and U-M’s history of development stood out to him during that trip. 

“I’d never been to Michigan, so that was my first time,” Barney said. “And then, the history of Michigan and seeing how I could be developed. They send a lot of players to the league. They’re going to have four first rounders this year, and that could be me in the next 3-4 years. The development part, the relationship I have, and just the vibe I caught when I was up there.”

That visit impressed him so much that he returned to campus in April for the spring game. He said the first trip was too enjoyable not to come back. Barney raved about the spring game as well. 

“I felt comfortable,” Barney said. “It felt like I’ve been there 10 times, not 2 times.”

Penn State, Georgia Tech, Texas A&M and Ole Miss all hosted him on OVs before his trip to Michigan. The Wolverines grabbed all of the momentum in his recruitment leading up to Barney’s announcement.

He’s the No. 20 cornerback in the country and exploded onto the national recruiting scene after recording 8 interceptions as a freshman. Barney is one of the top athletes on a powerhouse Carrollton squad that finished the 2024 season 14-1. 

Michigan now holds 21 commitments for the 2026 cycle. The latest Wolverine pledge joins Andre Clarke the program’s growing defensive back class.

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