Horns Grab Another Commitment

The Texas Longhorns got another commitment for 2009 in Euless Trinity cornerback Eryon Barnett. But who is this speedy defensive back and what prompted Texas to extend a scholarship offer? Inside Texas breaks it down.

The commits just keep on rolling in. The Texas Longhorns are now up to 11 commitments for the Class of 2009 with the addition of Euless Trinity cornerback Eryon Barnett.

Barnett jumped at the opportunity to play for Texas when Mack Brown called him into his office and made the official offer. When Barnett finally arrives at Texas in 2009, something he'll bring to the defensive backfield is a big physical presence.

“He stands 6-2 barefooted and is 185 right now,” said Euless Trinity head coach Steve Lineweaver “By the time he gets to Texas, he could be 6-3 and half, 195...well, maybe not 195. With his metabolism, he's real lean.”

To go with his physical size, Barnett runs a 4.5 in the 40. According to Lineweaver, how big Barnett plays is one of the main reasons the Longhorns extended the scholarship offer.

“His wingspan and his physical size,” said Lineweaver. “They've got some bigger receivers there (in the Big 12), and he can match up with them.”

Trinity High School used Barnett exclusively as a cornerback and that's where he projects to play in college. Barnett is the Longhorns' second cornerback commit for the Class of 2009 and, like the first, is a physically big corner. The other is 6-foot-1, 185-pound Marcus Davis from Clear Creek High School in League City, Tex., who gave his commitment to Texas during the Horns' Junior Day back on February 10th (See: Marcus Davis: 'It Just Felt Like Home').

He's got the size and speed, but Lineweaver said there's an even more important quality that Barnett holds, one that Texas coaches may not even be aware of yet.

“He can run and catch the ball well and could have played receiver for us. What they probably don't know yet, but will find out, is his heart. The might be his strongest quality,” said Lineweaver.

And it's not just on the football field that Barnett shows that competitive spirit.

“He's always looking for a game, video game, etc,” said Lineweaver. “But outside of competition he's pretty laid back. He's a great kid who enjoys his friends.”

Barnett took the trip to Austin with his father and brother. Last season, Barnett was named second team all-district in 7-5A. He also competes in track and as a sophomore high jumped 5-10 and run a 52.62 in the 400 at the district championships.