South Carolina defensive back target sets commitment date

South Carolina football recruiting target Kosci Barnes has set his commitment date. According to the class of 2026 defensive back’s social media accounts, he will make his college decision on July 26th.

With his decision date announcement, Barnes also revealed a list of six top schools. Joining South Carolina on his list are the Kentucky Wildcats, Miami Hurricanes, Rutgers Scarlet Knights, North Carolina Tar Heels, and Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Barnes took official visits to see five of his top schools. Rutgers hosted him first, and then South Carolina followed. Miami, Mississippi State, and Kentucky rounded out his summer schedule. Among his top six, the offers from North Carolina and Miami are the most recent, having come in June.

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Listed as a corner by the recruiting industry, Barnes could play outside or could kick inside to nickel if he ends up becoming a Gamecock. At the risk of repeating a talking point about virtually every defensive back recruited by the University of South Carolina, he looks like a Torrian Gray defensive back. Barnes is 6-3 and 190 pounds but is a gifted athlete. He can move, isn’t afraid of playing in run support, and has good ball skills.

Barnes doesn’t have a spot in the current On3 industry rankings. However, that is not due to lack of talent. Barnes has been a late riser, and judging by an offer list that includes multiple SEC and ACC programs, he will own a spot in the rankings before all is said and done. 247Sports is the only major recruiting outlet that ranks the North Carolina native. The outlet has labeled him as a three-star prospect and put him just inside the top 600 in the class.

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