One of Michigan Football’s latest commits in the 2026 recruiting class, four-star CB Dorian Barney, has plenty of tools and swagger to thrive in Ann Arbor. Here is what the film taught us:
The Michigan Wolverines may have lost 2026 four-star cornerback Brody Jennings, who flipped his commitment to the Miami Hurricanes last weekend, but they were able to immediately replace him.
Four-star Dorian Barney will take his spot in this impressive 2026 class, joining four-star Andre Clarke Jr. in the secondary. Head coach Sherrone Moore and defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan led Michigan past the likes of Ole Miss , Texas A&M , Georgia Tech and Penn State for Barney’s services.
Here is more on Barney and why he can excel in Ann Arbor.
The Breakdown
A Carrollton High School standout in the state of Georgia, Barney is a consensus Top-25 corner in his class and a Top-150 player overall.
At 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, he already has collegiate size. Barney is a terrific athlete on the gridiron, who also mixes it up on the track and field team. He should make for a fine addition to the secondary when he steps on campus.
Barney has all the tools to compete for a boundary cornerback job right away.
The Film
Barney can control the secondary in a variety of ways. For one, you cannot throw screens near him. He has incredible anticipation and instincts, plus the aggressiveness to fight through picks to make a play on the ball or the ball carrier.
He seemingly always knows where the quarterback wants to throw and can explode out of his stance to break on the ball. Barney’s hands are reliable, albeit nothing particularly special, and he has the speed and vision to run it back after an interception.
As a man-to-man coverage guy, Barney does a great job sticking with his man and attaching himself to his back hip. Whether it is a go route, an inside move or any sort of stutter, he does not look flustered and can eliminate his opponent from the play.
One of the best parts of Barney’s game is how he can track deep balls. Even when his man gains a step, he has phenomenal closing speed and can break up passes without committing penalties.
Barney is not limited to man schemes, though, and that anticipation and closing speed are huge assets in zone looks. He also likes to play off his receiver and has the versatility to thrive in any situation.
Another part of his game the Wolverines must love is his dedication to tackling. Wide receivers have a tough time shaking Barney’s grasp, and running backs do not have much more success. He also plays low to the ground, fast at all times, and does not look scared of anybody. That confidence is crucial for any good cornerback.
Barney’s footwork and hips are fluid, quick and decisive, and his technique is already mature. He will need to learn how to bait quarterbacks better, as he tends to jump routes early, but this is a minor problem for a major player.
Expect Barney to continue his ascension with the Wolverines and turn into a dominant defender in a few years.