Multiple outlets, including 247Sports and Rivals, report that Virginia Tech has received a verbal commitment from 6'4", 245-pound junior defensive end Michael Barnett. The Woodland (Dorchester, S.C.) product picked the Hokies over offers from Clemson, Florida, Florida State and Tennessee, among others.
In Barnett, Virginia Tech gets a prospect rated on the 4-star level by Rivals, 247Sports, ESPN and Scout. More importantly, Frank Beamer and staff land a player they offered first, a clear indication of how highly the Palmetto State prospect is on their board. Barnett turned in an impressive junior season, amassing almost 90 tackles including 31 tackles for loss on a 10-2 Woodland team.
Barnett visited Blacksburg four times this year, most recently for the home regular season finale against Maryland. He also took trips to Florida, Florida State, and Tennessee before coming to his decision.
Tech has now two commitments in the class of 2015, as Barnett joins Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) defensive back Marcus Lewis, who verbally committed while in Blacksburg for the Maryland game. Stay tuned to TSL for more from the newest Hokie soon, but in the meantime click here to view his junior season highlights on Hudl.com.