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Michigan State Football: 4-star commit Julian Barnett gets rankings bump

By Connor Muldowney

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 17: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans reacts on the sidelines during the second quarter of the college football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 17: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans reacts on the sidelines during the second quarter of the college football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State football commit Julian Barnett saw his 247Sports rankings improve after The Opening regional event.

Michigan State fans know just how good Julian Barnett is, but the rest of the nation is beginning to take notice. He was already listed as a four-star prospect and bordering on the top-100 in the 247Sports rankings, but he’s gotten a nice bump from the recruiting service.

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Albeit 247Sports was a little behind in bumping Barnett into the top-100, it’s better late than never.

Barnett went from just outside the top-100 to No. 70 on 247Sports. He’s also listed as the No. 9 cornerback and third-best recruit in the state of Michigan. In the composite, he’s now up to No. 53 overall and the seventh-best corner — he’s closing in on five-star status.

The Belleville, Mich., native is the highest-rated commit in the Spartans’ 2019 class, surprising everyone with how early he decided to give his verbal to Michigan State. Although he’s not even the highest-ranked player on his high school team — that honor goes to five-star Devontae Dobbs — he may have the highest upside.

Michigan State is bringing back the ‘No Fly Zone’ in 2018 with guys like Justin Layne, Josiah Scott, Khari Willis and David Dowell, but there should be no regression in talent any time soon in the defensive backfield with Barnett joining Xavier Henderson, Christian Jackson, former teammate Davion Williams, Michael Dowell, Jordan Huff and Kalon Gervin next season.

Next: MSU football's top 2019 NFL draft prospects

Even with Harlon Barnett at Florida State, the Spartans are reeling in some elite talent and there should be no drop-off. This Barnett, though, could be an All-American before his Michigan State career is over.

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