BREAKING: Notre Dame Lands Cornerback Ryan Barnes

Notre Dame has picked up a major commitment from Maryland cornerback Ryan Barnes

Notre Dame has picked up its much-needed second talented cornerback in the 2021 class, landing Gaithersburg (Md.) Quince Orchard standout Ryan Barnes.

Barnes has seen his recruitment blow up in recent months, with Notre Dame and other top programs offering him during the spring. 

The 6-2, 180-pound cornerback became an early top target for position coach Mike Mickens, who has had a great deal of success with tall and long cornerbacks like the Quince Orchard standout.

The minute Notre Dame offered it became a top contender for the talented Maryland cornerback. That is partly due to Barnes valuing the academic possibilities that Notre Dame provides, but it also had to do with his upbringing.

“I grew up following Notre Dame football,” Barnes told Irish Breakdown recruiting analyst Jack Sullivan following his March offer. “My dad has been a fan since he was a kid, and I have family that lives about an hour away [from Notre Dame].”

His initial plan was to visit Notre Dame in April, but the forced dead period by the NCAA pushed that back. Despite not being able to visit in any kind of official capacity, Barnes developed a strong bond with the Irish staff.

Barnes, Valrico (Fla.) Bloomingdale standout Philip Riley and Los Angeles (Calif.) Loyola star Ceyair Wright became the top cornerback targets for Mickens. Riley committed in early May, and that is when the Irish staff turned even more attention to Barnes, who is now a future teammate with Riley.

A consensus three-star recruit, Barnes graded out as a four-star player on the Irish Breakdown board.

Notre Dame continues to ramp up its recruiting in the Maryland/Washington, D.C. area. The Irish staff landed just three players from the region from 2010 to 2016 (seven classes). Barnes becomes the seventh player from the region - including the third from Maryland - since the 2017 class (five classes). 

With Barnes in the fold the Irish have now landed a player from Maryland or DC in five straight classes.

Barnes picked Notre Dame over offers from Clemson, LSU, Georgia, Oklahoma, Florida, USC, Penn State, Florida State, Michigan, Louisville, Tennessee, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Kentucky, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, West Virginia, Michigan State, Minnesota, NC State, Boston College, Maryland, Syracuse, Arizona State, Texas Tech, Duke, Georgia Tech and Kansas.

To read the impact landing Barnes will have on the Notre Dame 2021 recruiting class and the depth chart CLICK HERE.

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Bryan Driskell
BRYAN DRISKELL

Bryan Driskell is the publisher of Irish Breakdown and has been covering Notre Dame football for over a decade. A former college football player and coach, Bryan and Irish Breakdown bring a level of expertise and analysis that is unmatched. From providing in depth looks at the Fighting Irish, breaking news stories and honest recruiting analysis, Irish Breakdown has everything Notre Dame football fans want and need. Bryan was previous a football analyst for Blue & Gold Illustrated before launching Irish Breakdown. He coached college football at Duquesne University, Muhlenberg College, Christopher Newport University, Wittenberg University and Defiance College. During his coaching career he was a pass game coordinator, recruiting coordinator, quarterbacks coach, running backs coach and wide receivers coach. Bryan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Salisbury University, where he played quarterback for the Sea Gulls. You can email Bryan at bryan@irishbreakdown.com. Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more. BECOME A MEMBER Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time! Follow Bryan on Twitter: @CoachD178Like and follow Irish Breakdown on FacebookSubscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channelSubscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes Sign up for the FREE Irish Breakdown daily newsletter