Ohio State secondary coach Tim Walton has built one of the strongest cornerback classes in the nation for the 2025 cycle with three top 10 cornerbacks committed to the Buckeyes.
He’s already set on doing the same for the 2026 cycle.
Early in the class, four-star Georgia cornerback Dorian Barney is becoming a priority for the Buckeyes. Barney, rated the No. 32 player and the No. 3 cornerback in the 2026 class, took his first-ever visit to Columbus for the spring game on April 13. He had high expectations for his trip and it didn’t disappoint.
Great day in the shoe, thank you buckeyes fans for making it feel like home! #gobucks @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/RixxyuBXMo
— Dorian DB Barney (@1dorianbarney) April 14, 2024
“My Ohio State visit was probably one of the best visits I’ve been on so far,” Barney told Eleven Warriors. “The visit was different. The people and culture out there are just different. The vibe was just different in a good way. The coaching staff all seem cool and everything. I feel like I could fit into their program. The fans were crazy, they kept asking me to sign their footballs and stuff, it made my visit even better.”
Ohio State’s secondary dominated throughout the spring game and has arguably the deepest cornerback room in college football. That’s not likely to change anytime soon either with the arrival of Devin Sanchez, Na’eem Offord and Blake Woodby next year. Barney says he relishes the amount of competition he’d get if he chooses to play for OSU.
“It would be great because you’re competing with other cornerbacks to get a spot on the field and you’re going against the best receivers in college football in practice,” Barney said. “You’d also have one of the best DB coaches in football and you’d be part of BIA.”
#gobuckeyes ? @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/RmGgV36EQF
— Dorian DB Barney (@1dorianbarney) April 12, 2024
On the visit, Barney spoke with both Sanchez and Offord, who gave him an honest assessment of why they chose to play for Ohio State.
“I talked to those dudes and they told me why they chose Ohio State and gave me more information about the program and everything,” Barney said. “They told me to take my time with the decision because it’ll be the biggest decision of my life.”
Though he can’t be contacted by the coaching staff directly until later this summer, Barney estimates he and Walton talk weekly. On the visit, Walton ensured Barney knew he was a priority to the Buckeyes.
“Coach Walton, he really likes me,” Barney said. “He was telling me that they really want me there and that he’d help me with life after football and everything. He’d make sure that I’m good on and off the field.”
— Dorian DB Barney (@1dorianbarney) April 18, 2024
At 6-foot-1, 170 pounds, Barney has been told by Walton that OSU sees him primarily as an outside cornerback at the next level.
“Coach Walton says he likes that I’m physical, I can get in and out of my breaks, I’m patient, I can go get the ball when it’s in the air, just everything,” Barney said.
Earlier this month, Barney released a top 12 list featuring Alabama, Florida State, LSU, Colorado, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Ohio State, USC, South Carolina, Georgia, Clemson and Oklahoma. Following his visit, his affinity for OSU has only grown.
“Ohio State is really high in my recruitment,” Barney said.
Barney has been recruited by OSU for a few months, starting primarily when Walton offered him on Jan. 29 after he stopped by his high school. As a sophomore, Barney recorded 32 tackles (two for loss) with two quarterback hurries, 10 pass deflections and four interceptions while helping Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee, Georgia) to a 10-2 record.
“When I got offered by them, it was surreal because it was one of my dream schools,” Barney said. “Ohio State sends so many DBs to the league. That’s what I’m trying to get.”
The Georgia prospect won’t have to wait long for his next trip to Columbus. Barney says he plans on visiting OSU this summer for a recruiting camp so he can have the opportunity to be coached by Walton firsthand.
Barney says he’s in no rush to commit and has no timeline in mind for a decision, but knows what he’s looking for in a school. In addition to OSU, he said his primary suitors are Alabama, Florida State, USC, Georgia and Colorado.
“I’m looking at the culture, how the kids that are already there getting developed and the people around the program,” Barney said. “If I decide (to go to OSU), it would be because I’d want to be part of BIA and get on the field as soon as possible.”
