'10 FL DT Tavaris Barnes (Clemson Verbal)

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Defensive tackle
Jacksonville (FL) First Coast

Ht: 6-foot-5
Wt: 250 lbs
Class: 2010 (High School)

UA combine helps Barnes land FSU offer - ESPN

The 6-foot-4, 245-pounder picked up an offer from Florida State on Tuesday night.

"I called and talked with (FSU receivers coach and area recruiter) Lawrence Dawsey and he told me that he had seen my combine numbers and talked to the other coaches about them and that after he showed them, that they were going to offer," Barnes said. "It's all because of the combine. Without that, I don't know where I would be."

Three of Barnes' former teammates play for Florida State. Running back Jermaine Thomas, linebacker Nigel Carr and receiver Avis Commack are all Seminoles after signing in the Class of 2008. Many in college coaching circles believe that right now Dawsey, who has recruited the school since his days as an assistant at South Florida, can sign whoever he wants out of First Coast.

There are other schools involved. South Carolina, South Florida, Maryland and Rutgers have offered Barnes. Before that, North Carolina and defensive line coach/ace recruiter John Blake had made a move toward the top of Barnes' list before FSU offered. The Tar Heels are still in the mix, though the Noles entrance into the race makes them less likely to land him. Then, there is the issue of Florida.

"I talked to my head coach (Marty Carr) and he told me that Florida was supposed to be offering me later this week," Barnes told ESPN affiliate NoleInsider.com.

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5/16

From the FSU site...says that he was going to commit to Florida but has decided against it and has removed them from his list...says his top five is North Carolina, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Maryland...UNC and FSU stand out the most....

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Barnes a big one for FSU - ESPN