Notre Dame Signs CB Ryan Barnes

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have signed cornerback Ryan Barnes

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have signed cornerback Ryan Barnes

RYAN BARNES PROFILE

Hometown: Gaithersburg, Md.
High School: Quince Orchard

Height: 6-2
Weight: 180

2019 Stats: 44 tackles, 7 pass break ups, 2 interceptions

IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 150 caliber player)
Upside Grade: 4.5

Offers: Notre Dame, Clemson, LSU, Georgia, Florida, Oklahoma, USC, Oregon, Penn State, Florida State, Michigan, Tennessee, Louisville, Virginia Tech, NC State, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Maryland, Kentucky, Virginia, Boston College, Michigan State, Minnesota, Duke, Georgia Tech, Texas Tech, Syracuse, Arizona State, Kansas

Recruited By: Mike Mickens

Rivals: 3-star
ESPN: 3-star
247Sports: 3-star
Composite: 3-star - No. 560 overall

FILM ANALYSIS

In my view, Barnes is the most underrated player in the entire class, and one of the most underrated defensive backs in the entire class. I'm not sure what others are missing, or what I see that maybe misjudges him in a positive manner, but when I watch Barnes I see a borderline Top 100 caliber player.

It's not just his size either, but that is certainly the first thing you notice when you pop in the film. Barnes is all of 6-2, and he knows how to use that length as a weapon at the line and when the ball is in the air. Even in the few occasions where a defender beats him down the field he uses his length and closing speed to play the ball.

Barnes has surprising fluidity and agility for such a long cornerback. He makes easy and clean transitions, and that will only improve as his footwork gets better. His instincts and run game potential are top notch. He isn't a burner by any means, but he has enough speed combined with his length and instincts to be a strong cover player, and one that will get his hands on a lot of passes.

He can play both the field and boundary positions, and he’s a more than willing tackler. Once he gets stronger you’ll see the ability to play the run and perimeter screen game become a key strength of his game.

NOTRE DAME FIT

His size will make some immediately look to move Barnes to safety, but his skillset is ideally suited for the cornerback position. He is an even longer, more athletic version of Nick McCloud when he was a prep player.

Barnes has the size, tackling potential and ball skills to thrive in the boundary position. His athleticism and instincts could also thrive at the field position, and that flexibility only adds to his value in this class.

In my view, the Quince Orchard is the most underrated player in this class. His offer list is as good as it gets, his film is outstanding, his measurables are top notch and he's a high character player. Landing Barnes in this class was big-time for Notre Dame.

JOHN GARCIA, SI ALL-AMERICAN ON BARNES

"Barnes has the frame to play inside or out in a college secondary, with zone corner or safety length and skill to boot. There is an awareness and savvy when watching Barnes at work, translating to plays on the football and the ability to take calculated risks. While not the most explosive athlete, Barnes is fluid enough in his pedal and transitions to challenge gifted wideouts at the line of scrimmage, rare given his 6-foot-2 build."

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