Top 100 CB Dorian Barney has special connection to Alabama, pursuing others in Peach State

Dorian Barney, ’26 Top 100 cornerback from Carrollton High School in Ga. (recently transferred from Peachtree Ridge in Suwanee, Ga.), announced his commitment to Alabama on May 19, or what seems like a lifetime ago. The Crimson Tide has since added 12 commitments in the ’25 class, with more likely on the horizon.

Barney, however, is far from lost in Alabama’s future. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound star surprised many with an early decision. He had a few previous connections with the UA staff.  Barney took two unofficial visits to Alabama in March. He felt confident enough about this staff to commit before taking any summer visits.

“I felt comfortable there,” Barney recently told BOL. “I felt like it’s the place I need to be. It’s where I want to be. I want to be around a winner’s mind-set. All the coaches there have winning mind-sets. I was comfortable with everything- the culture, Tuscaloosa. It’s a college town. I will go there and be locked-in.

“I was talking to Courtney Morgan who moved from Washington. We already had a relationship. It just kept building. Courtney and Kevin Green are my guys. Kev is like family. I have known him my whole life. We are both from Eerie, Pa. (moved to Georgia in ’21).  He knows my dad. Courtney is really cool. He’s just a good vibe. He’s a good person to be around.”

Must-Read: Top 100 EDGE Justin Hill talks commitment to Alabama

Bond quickly growing with Alabama

Alabama hosted Barney again a few weeks ago for another unofficial visit. He was in Tuscaloosa on June 15. The Tide hosted a camp that day, as well as official visitors. He still had a great time with coaches and players despite not participating in camp.

“It was good,” he said. “It just felt more and more like home. It was my first time going back since I committed. I was kicking it with Coach Mo (Linguist). I went out to the camp (watched). I was really enjoying building relationships with players and the coaches.”

On coaches:

“The relationship with Coach Mo is really growing. It’s getting more open; we text and call. We talked about my ability and their scheme. They see me fitting in great with the defense. Kane (Wommack) compared me to Zabien Brown (freshman). That’s a great feeling because Zabien is a great DB. He said I have a great skill-set.

“It was good to sit down with Coach DeBoer and Kane (Wommack) . We were really just chilling. Coach DeBoer and I were chopping it up. He talked about how excited everyone was, and how excited he is about my commitment. Kane is very open and energetic. I am just ready to get to work.”

On players:

“I hung out with Jaylen Mbakwe , Caleb Odom and a few others. I mainly talked with Jaylen. He was just telling me what all he did before he came and what all he’s doing now. He talked about how coming to Alabama is a business decision. Everything at Alabama is a business.”

California Love: Bama recruiting at an elite level in The Golden State

No regrets for Barney

Barney has continued to hear from several others including Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State and Tennessee. He is considering future visits to Oregon and/or USC, but said a return to Tuscaloosa is likely the next stop.

“I am really cool with my decision,” he said. “All the coaches are cool. I just feel really comfortable there. That’s where I want to be. I don’t regret my decision at all.”

He mentioned a few names, also in the rising junior class, he has been pursuing in Georgia. The players include Zelus Hicks (Carrollton), Nasir McCoy (Buford), Ryan Mosley (Carrollton) and Zykie Helton (Carrollton).

Barney is one of two Alabama commitments in the ’26 class. Jamarrion Gordon , four-star corner from Jackson High School in Ala., was the first player to commit. The only known ’26 target with an upcoming decision is Faizon Brandon , five-star quarterback from Grimsley High School in Greensboro, N.C. Alabama is in the final four and considered a potential front-runner ( READ HERE )

Want to talk with the BOL staff and also thousands of other Alabama fans about all the latest recruiting intel? CLICK HERE to join daily conversations about the Crimson Tide and much more on the BOL RoundTable .

The post Top 100 CB Dorian Barney has special connection to Alabama, pursuing others in Peach State appeared first on On3 .