Michigan Football: Wolverines in a battle for 3-star DB Ryan Barnes

Michigan football is looking to add some defensive backs to the 2021 recruiting class and one key target right now is three-star Ryan Barnes.

Michigan football currently has 13 commitments for the 2021 recruiting class, but as of right now, the Wolverines have got just one defensive back to commit.

That’s three-star cornerback Ja’Den McBurrows. He pledged to Michigan football last month and now the Wolverines are hoping to land another three-star defensive back, this time from Maryland, in 6-foot-2 Ryan Barnes.

Barnes is a guy with the ability to play corner and free safety. He’s ranked 550th overall according to 247 sports composite rankings and he’s 39th among corners, but teams are pushing hard for him and not just Michigan.

For starters, Barnes offer list is pretty impressive. Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Penn State and Notre Dame are among the teams still in it with him, while others like USC, Florida, Florida State and Michigan State have offered.

But Michigan football has centered in on making Barnes a priority and new safeties coach Bob Shoop has made a connection according to what Barnes told the Michigan Insider ($):

"“I have had a lot of communication with him throughout the recruitment process. He is a great guy and coach who can develop me for the NFL, which is my goal. I have contact with Coach Shoop, Coach Brown, and Coach Harbaugh are the ones I have the most contact with. I hear from at least one coach every day.”"

Despite the push that Michigan has been making with Barnes, there have been no crystal balls placed, yet there haven’t been any for other programs, although Tom Loy, who covers Notre Dame for 247 sports indicated ($) he’s close to predicting Barnes to ND but that Michigan was right there too.

Of course, some fans will roll their eyes just because Barnes in a three-star recruit, even though a bunch of big-time programs have offered and are still pushing for him.

One reason is that Barnes offers unique size for a corner, if he were to stay there at 6-foot-2, while also having the ability to bump down to free safety. He could also play some in the slot and really, having truly versatile DB’s who can cover is valuable.

You can never have enough cover guys and Barnes would be a nice addition if the Wolverines are able to win him over.