4-star talks long-awaited Clemson offer
By: Gavin Oliver August 7, 2017

On Saturday, Apopka (Fla.) four-star offensive lineman William Barnes received an official scholarship offer from Clemson.

It’s something he had been waiting a long time for.

“It felt really great to get that offer after about three years of wanting it so badly,” Barnes told The Clemson Insider.

Barnes (6-5, 312) visited Clemson to compete at the Dabo Swinney Camp each of the last two summers.

Clemson offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell began communicating with him around the time of the camp this year in June.

“Started hearing from them around their last camp I was at,” Barnes said. “(I heard) that I was a dominant player and they’d like to have me there according to the offensive line coach.”

Barnes holds offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Tennessee and UCLA among others.

In late July, he released a top seven of Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, North Carolina and Ohio State.

Will Clemson be an addition to his list after offering?

“Still determining that with my family,” Barnes said.

Barnes plans to take his recruitment the distance.

“Still set on making my announcement on signing day,” he said.

Barnes said he will “most likely” visit Clemson again for a game this season.

ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports rank him as a top-100 prospect in the 2018 class regardless of position.

 

 

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