Latest news with #DorianBarney
USA Today
08-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan's 2026 CB Dorian Barney pledges to never lose to rival Ohio State
Michigan football's latest commitment gets it. Not just that he espouses what it means to be a Michigan Man -- to be academics-focused, to have a good head on his shoulders -- but also what it means to wear a winged helmet beyond embracing the traditions and the ethos in Ann Arbor. 2026 Carrollton (Ga.) four-star cornerback Dorian Barney was thought to be headed elsewhere until his official visit for Victors Weekend. Then, on Saturday, he ended his recruitment, committing to the Wolverines. From there, he spoke to On3's Chad Simmons (subscription required) where he uttered a simple sentence, sure to draw ire of folks to the immediate south of the Monroe-Toledo line. 'I will not lose to Ohio State while I'm there,' Barney said. Those are some J.J. McCarthy vibes -- albeit at a position not quite as vital as quarterback. But having a player in the defensive backfield with that type of confidence, as Barney appears to hav,e is crucial against the Buckeyes. It's two-fold: one, Michigan needs to field high-caliber defensive backs against OSU, especially as Ohio State loads up on wide receivers like they're offensive linemen; two, for nearly two decades, there was disbelief in Ann Arbor that the Wolverines could beat the Buckeyes. Now the shoe is on the other foot. Michigan has four straight wins over Ohio State at this juncture. By the time Barney arrives, it could be five or the clock could be reset to zero. But one thing is for sure -- if Barney makes good on his promise, fans in Ann Arbor will be looking back to his comments as prescient. However, the Wolverines have to work to negate the flip side, as OSU wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has already vowed he won't lose to Michigan for the next two years.
USA Today
08-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan football makes big climb in ESPN 2026 recruiting rankings with elite commitments
Michigan recruiting is continuing to surge, and ESPN is taking notice. The last time that ESPN updated its 2026 college football recruiting rankings, Michigan football had just made its debut, coming in at No. 17 overall. After a torrid month of June, the Wolverines are moving up even more. Last week, ESPN updated its rankings, and though it doesn't include the commitment of wide receiver Travis Johnson or cornerback Dorian Barney -- or the flip of cornerback Brody Jennings to Miami -- the Wolverines have moved up 10 spots and are now just outside of the top five at No. 7 overall. The Wolverines signed the No. 1 QB for the 2025 cycle in Bryce Underwood and he carries high expectations, but they continue to add talent to the position and landed ESPN 300 signal-caller Brady Smigiel. The onetime Florida State commit is not only an accurate passer, but he also plays with the confidence and swagger that will be needed battling with five-star Underwood. After losing two DLs in the first round of the NFL draft, Michigan added several DLs to this class, including ESPN 300 DEs Titan Davis and McHale Blade. Four-star DE Tariq Boney is a player to keep an eye on. He lacks ideal length but can be a well-rounded technician and a quick contributor. In addition to pulling Boney out of the nation's capital, Michigan also landed Carter Meadows, a rangy edge defender who can bend well. As noted, at No. 44 overall, Smigiel continues to be the highest-rated commitment for the Wolverines in this class, according to ESPN. Wide receiver target Calvin Russell, who committed to Syracuse in a surprise pledge on Saturday, would have been the top offensive player at No. 28. Meadows, the highest-rated defensive commitment, is No. 88 according to ESPN's rankings. Here is where each of the current commits ranks in the ESPN300: With 10 included in the ranking and 12 overall now, the Wolverines are in a good spot to continue moving up. Of the remaining top targets in the 2026 class, Mineral (Va.) Louisa County running back Savion Hiter is No. 24, Ogden (Utah) Fremont athlete Salesi Moa is No. 35, Suwanee (Ga.) Collins Hill defensive tackle Deuce Geralds is No. 40, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy linebacker DQ Forkpa is No. 41, Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian cornerback Davon Benjamin is No. 63, and Marietta (Ga.) Kell linebacker Brayden Rouse is No. 153.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Michigan Commit Takes Jabs at Ohio State After Jeremiah Smith's Comment
Michigan Commit Takes Jabs at Ohio State After Jeremiah Smith's Comment originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith reignited one of college football's fiercest rivalries in a recent sit-down with The Athletic's Manny Navarro, openly expressing his disdain for Michigan after last season's 13–10 upset in Ann Arbor. Advertisement 'I'm not a sore loser, but I hate losing, and losing to that team up north was pretty crazy,' Smith said, reflecting on how the defeat stung despite Ohio State's ultimate CFP National Championship run. He didn't stop there. 'For the next two years, I promise you, I will not lose to them. I can't lose to them in the next two years,' he declared, ensuring Wolverines fans and players alike have bulletin‑board material heading into the 2025 season. Barely 48 hours after Smith's interview hit the headlines, 2026 Michigan cornerback commit Dorian Barney, who had previously considered Alabama, used nearly identical language in an On3 conversation with Chad Simmons. 'I will not lose to Ohio State while I'm there,' Barney told Simmons immediately upon announcing his commitment, emphasizing the blood‑feud aspect of The Game even before taking the field in maize and blue. Advertisement Ohio State Buckeye Jeremiah Smith (4) warms up before the start of the spring game at Ohio Stadium.© Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images His statement arrived on the heels of Smith's vow and highlighted how recruits are already internalizing and stoking the rivalry as they choose their future homes. The fire was further fanned on ESPN's Get Up, where veteran analyst Paul Finebaum commended Smith's gutsy proclamation but reminded viewers just how elusive victory over Michigan has been. 'I'm glad to see somebody on the Ohio State lineup maybe do something more than just mouthing words, because Jeremiah sounds serious,' Finebaum said, before skewering head coach Ryan Day's track record. 'He's(Day) promised after every loss not to lose again, and he continues to lose again.' Finebaum's critique highlights the pressure building on Ohio State to deliver in the marquee matchup yet again. Advertisement Related: Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith Gets Brutally Candid on Michigan This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Michigan football lands 4-star CB over Penn State, Texas A&M
The post Michigan football lands 4-star CB over Penn State, Texas A&M appeared first on ClutchPoints. Despite their lackluster 2024 season, few teams have been better in the 2025 college football recruiting market than Michigan. Continuing their recent trend, the Wolverines added four-star cornerback Dorian Barney to their class of 2026 defensive lineup. Advertisement Barney committed to Michigan on Saturday, Rivals' Hayes Fawcett reported. The highly touted cornerback chose Sherrone Moore's squad over offers from Georgia, Penn State, Texas A&M, and Georgia Tech. As a native of Carrollton, Georgia, he strongly considered offers from his home-state schools but selected the Wolverines, where he believes he will 'succeed in every way possible.' Barney is the latest addition to Michigan's stellar 2026 recruiting class. The group is currently ranked as the ninth-best recruiting class in the country by 247 Sports and On3 Sports. While they have yet to add a five-star prospect, the Wolverines have already received verbal commitments from 12 four-stars. After Jim Harbaugh left for the NFL and took most of the coaching staff with him, Michigan endured a moderately successful rebuild year in 2024. However, with five-star super prospect Bryce Underwood expected to bring stability back to the offense, the Wolverines' 2025 outlook is already back on track for another title. Advertisement Michigan's 2026 college football recruiting class Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports With Dorian Barney now in the mix, the excitement is already building for Michigan's two upcoming seasons. The Wolverines' fan base already expects a return to Big Ten title contention with the crop of talent Moore has amassed in the offseason. Thus far, Michigan's 2025 recruiting focus seems to be on its defense. Moore received commitments from seven four-star defenders, including Barney. Defensive end Carter Meadows, a consensus Top 10 edge rusher of the class, headlines the group and continues to rise. The Wolverines annually boast an elite defensive line, and Meadows seems to be their next big star up front. Advertisement Moore's incoming recruits also include a swarm of offensive talent, including four-star wideout Zion Robinson and four-star quarterback Brady Smigiel. Robinson and Smigiel are both viewed as Top 10 prospects at their position with ESPN rating the latter as its fourth-best pocket passer of 2026. Coming off a strong end to the 2024 season, Michigan has high expectations to meet in the 2025 college football season. The adjustment period seems to be over with fans now expecting Moore to maintain the powerhouse program that Harbaugh rebuilt at the end of his tenure. Related: 5-star WR shockingly picks Syracuse over Michigan football Related: Georgia football way-too-early bold predictions for 2025 season
USA Today
05-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan football adds 4-star CB Dorian Barney to 2026 class from Georgia
BREAKING: Four-Star CB Dorian Barney has Committed to Michigan, he tells me for @rivalsThe 6'1 185 CB from Carrollton, GA chose the Wolverines over Ole Miss, Penn State, & Texas A&M'I know being a Michigan man I will succeed in every way possible! 〽️' Michigan football entered the weekend with two cornerbacks committed -- Andre Clarke and Brody Jennings -- but the latter ended up flipping to Miami on Saturday. It took quite some time in the process before the maize and blue had some traction, as it appeared he was likely Penn State-bound, but 2026 Carrollton (Ga.) four-star cornerback visited Ann Arbor for Victors Weekend and apparently made a move. Texas A&M and Georgia Tech also posed major threats, but soon after his official visit, Michigan football started getting predictions he'd end up in Ann Arbor. That came to fruition on Saturday as Barney committed to the Wolverines. He made his commitment live on the Rivals YouTube channel. Barney is Michigan's 21st commitment in the 2026 class, and the remaining targets are now few. Five-star wide receiver Calvin Russell is also set to decide on Saturday, five-star running back Savion Hiter is setting a commitment date soon, and four-star safety Davon Benjamin is likely to decide in early August. Michigan is still working on four-star linebackers Nick Abrams II and Brayden Rouse. Here is the class as it currently stands: All rankings by the 247Sports Composite Barney is the second prospect that Michigan has gotten from the state of Georgia. Georgia, Virginia, Texas, and Washington D.C. appear to be the hottest areas for Michigan football recruiting in 2026.
