2025 LB Elijah Barnes recaps his trip to Texas

Fully decked out in burnt orange upon his arrival, 2025 Dallas (Texas) Skyline linebacker Elijah “Bo” Barnes saw a lot to like from the Longhorns following the first day of his two-day visit.

“I just liked the energy, the high intensity during practice, and I just love the love the coaches showed me and the players as well,” Barnes said Saturday. “Talking with (David) Gbenda and Ant Hill, it was great to talk to those guys. Going through the process now, they have already been through the process before. Sitting down and talking with them is great.”

Barnes also had the chance to continue to build his relationship with Johnny Nansen.

“We’re just going to keep building this relationship,” Barnes said. “Now, it’s gotten better since the first time we met. I knew the first time we met that he was a special guy and that he was going to treat me with a lot of love.”

Barnes turned his day-trip into a two-day visit and returned to Moncrief on Sunday morning to visit with Steve Sarkisian.

Barnes, who just ran a 10.96 100m at 230 pounds, has seen Texas at least five times in the past year. What keeps him coming back to the 40 Acres?

“The people, the connection that you have with people,” Barnes said. “That’s the biggest thing for me, the relationship. Knowing people that you’ve never met before. You get to see them face to face and talk with them. It’s great to be around great people. That’s what I want to surround myself with. Great people.”

Texas is in a great position for Barnes with a 93.4% chance of landing him in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. But the Longhorns and Barnes’ other top schools will have to wait some time before learning where he’ll play college football.

“I’ll make a decision in August before the season before my senior year so I can just focus on the season and not have to worry about the recruitment no more,” Barnes said. “Be locked in and get that spot.”

Barnes has official visits set up to Nebraska on April 26, Texas on June 21-23, and SMU on May 10. He’ll also see Ohio State officially.

Barnes is ranked as the No. 108 overall prospect, the No. 14 linebacker, and the No. 19 player in Texas in the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking.

On3 ranks Barnes as the No. 180 overall prospect, the No. 19 linebacker, and the No. 31 player in Texas.

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