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Michigan State Football: 4-star ATH Julian Barnett calls MSU his favorite

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans looks on while playing the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 35-10. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans looks on while playing the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 35-10. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State football is looking to build on its 2019 class and four-star Belleville-native Julian Barnett could be on deck.

What would it mean for Michigan State to land the 2019 class’ second-best in-state prospect? For one, it would put the Spartans back on the map with local kids — the Detroit area was not kind to MSU in 2017. Second, it would give the Spartans some positive recruiting momentum.

More: MSU Football: 5 bold predictions for September

Fortunately, one of the top 2019 Michigan State targets, Julian Barnett, is showing big-time interest in the green and white. He was just on campus this past weekend for the home opener against Bowling Green and came away impressed.

According to Allen Trieu, Michigan State is in a good position with the four-star Belleville-native.

"“My visit was really great,” he told Spartan Nation’s Justin Wieber. “Everyone at MSU is good people. Especially the coaches, they make me feel like I am a priority. MSU is up there for me, for sure, probably number one.”"

It’s still extremely early in Barnett’s recruiting process, but he seems to be high on the Spartans. You can’t read too much into early favorites, but he clearly has a soft spot Michigan State. Possible stemming from rooting interests from his childhood?

Barnett currently holds over 20 offers and his latest visit to Michigan State is just the latest. He has been to East Lansing countless times in the past. He’s currently teammates with Davion Williams, a 2018 MSU pledge, and speaks to Spencer Brown, the Spartans’ only 2019 commit.

In his first game of the year, Barnett was seen sporting Michigan State receiver gloves at the Big House. You can never judge based off that — just ask Malik Vann and Lavert Hill — but it goes to show that mutual interest there.

Next: MSU Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017

If Michigan State can get him on campus again this fall, that would be a huge win. He’s currently being courted by Notre Dame, Ohio State and Auburn as well. He’s ranked the No. 64 overall player in the class and the third-best cornerback, according to 247Sports.

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