2018 California 3-Star CB McKenzie Barnes Arizona Wildcats Commitment Interview
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Some secrets are just too good to keep quiet for very long. Not sure how he did it, but Class of 2018 cornerback recruit McKenzie Barnes verbally committed to Arizona on July 29 but was a silent commit until posting his announcement on Twitter Saturday night at 6:15 p.m. becoming the twelfth reported addition to the Wildcats growing haul.
Barnes worked his way into three-star recruiting status during the 2016 season with Edison High School. The Fresno area recruit posted a stat line of 56 tackles, two forced fumbles, and 15 passes defended for his Fresno area squad. Reported offers rolled in for the 6-1, 170 pound, athlete with Mississippi State, San Jose State, Sacramento State, Nevada, Cal Poly, and Army being among the many wanting his services next season. The final list was paired down to a Top 3 that included Oregon, Washington State, and, of course, Arizona.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Barnes shortly after his public announcement to get the inside scoop on how Arizona won him over.
Interview
McKenzie, congrats on your commitment to Arizona.
“Thank you.”
Let’s set the stage for the commitment. Did you take any unofficial visits this spring or summer?
“Yeah, I took a couple. I went to Fresno State, USC, and Arizona on July 29.”
Obviously, it went well but how did the trip to Arizona go?
“It was real nice. I got a lot of one-on-one time with the coaches and the players. I got to talk to players a lot. I spent a lot of time talking to Coach (Jahmile) Addae (safeties), Coach (Theron) Aych (receivers), and Coach (Chris) Singletary (recruiting coordinator).”
What did you talk about with coaches then?
“My major, playing time, and the program. We talked about everything – school, living situations, and family… everything. They made me feel at home.”
What did the coaches tell you about playing time?
“They told me nothing is guaranteed, but they think I could give their guys a push. If their guys are slacking, I can play. If I go out there and I’m doing better than everyone else, I will be playing. The decision is not coached based but player based. He has all the DBs write down how they think the depth-chart should be listed. The ones and twos should be the same. Everyone knows who the starters are and who the second stringers are.”
You mentioned your major, what do you want to major in at Arizona?
“Mechanical or electrical engineering.”
Back to the buildup, did you attend any college camps this summer?
“No.”
How did you narrow down your Top 3 of Arizona, Oregon, and Washington State?
“I talked with my coaches, looked at who was showing me the most interest, and at which ones were the best schools. What set Arizona apart was everything I told you.”
You mentioned playing time, your major, and the home feeling, were there any other factors that led you to Arizona being your ideal fit school and program?
“I felt at home, my major, really everything. The environment there. Arizona is located in a small town. There will be no distractions for me there. I do not have to go too far from campus to get anything I may need. The campus is also close enough to home for me to go back if needed.”
When did you tell the staff you were committing?
“On July 29, when Jhevon Hill (DB from San Bernardino) committed. We committed on the same day. I wanted to wait to announce it so I could do it at a family event.”
How did you commit to the Arizona staff?
“I committed first to Coach (Vincent) Amey (defensive line coach), then I talked to every coach telling them I am committed. I got a lot of love from the coaches after I committed. I talked to Coach Rich-Rod (Rich Rodriguez – head coach) and Coach Singletary after I committed. Even the offensive coaches were loving up on me.”
What thoughts were going through your head moments before verbally committing?
“Man! I was sitting there contemplating everything. People usually tell me you get this feeling that you get when you know a school is right for you. I was getting that feeling. I didn’t know if I wanted to do it. I stepped outside and called Coach Tony Perry. I told him how I was feeling. He said ‘not too many people feel like that.’ I went back in and Coach Amey was waiting for me. He said ‘you looked lost in your own thoughts.’ I told him, “Coach, this is the place for me.” He asked me, ‘are you going to sit on it or act on it?’ He told me to talk to my dad first before committing. I have been a soft commit until Aug. 12 when I announced.”
Have you set an official visit date yet?
“No. I was just talking to my dad about that. We are thinking about the first home game or the Utah game so we can see Jaylon Johnson (freshman defensive back from Fresno Central) play.”
Are you already recruiting players to join you at Arizona?
“You know that is a given. Yeah, I have been talking to everybody. I’ve been talking to other commits as well.”
What’s your pitch?
“I’m telling them we are a heavily slept on program. I am telling them to get out there and visit. Just get out there, even on an unofficial just to see what it is like.”
What has been the toughest part of the recruiting process for you?
“That is a tough question. One of the hardest parts has been talking to the coaches. Responding to them, sometimes they will throw a curveball at you. You have to really think about your responses. After the conversation, you think about what you could have or should have said.”
What has been the best part of the recruiting process for you?
“The best part, really, has been talking to coaches. Talking to them and building relationships. Talking to other players and other recruits, building a relationship with them, has been great too.”
McKenzie, congrats on your commitment and good luck with the upcoming season.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: Barnes family; McKenzie Barnes with Coach Rich Rodriguez (right) and Coach Amey (left)
Photo credit: Barnes family; McKenzie Barnes with father at Arizona (July 2017)