Previous Spring Tour Stops
Stop 1: FSU making push for Fields, other top Georgia prospects
Stop 2: 'Noles very high on list of top DB in Georgia
Stop 3: Latest on Chiles LB Gainer, and a new star emerges in Madison
Apopka -- OL William Barnes
After taking some spring visits to Florida State and other schools, Rivals100 offensive lineman William Barnes says he's now locked in to spring ball at Apopka High School.
Although he is rated the nation's No. 6 offensive tackle, Barnes knows he has plenty of room to improve.
"I've worked on everything," Barnes told Warchant.com during the latest stop on Spring Recruiting Tour. "My hand placement, quicker footwork and getting my weight down to 300 pounds since I'm at 315 pounds. That's a little bit too heavy. But also finding the chemistry with the team -- that's important to me."
Apopka head coach Rick Darlington, who has coached many top linemen throughout his career -- with the latest being UF's Martez Ivey -- said Barnes has a very high ceiling.
"He's our third Army All-American," Darlington said. "He comes from a great family, and he's somewhat athletic for his size. But I think he needs to lose some weight because he's a little heavy. He could move really quick with the trimmed weight and be very good."
At 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, Barnes commands plenty of attention on the field. During Tuesday's practice this week, FSU offensive line coach Rick Trickett and a couple of assistants from Nebraska were on hand to watch Barnes go through spring drills.
"I'm very excited Coach Trickett was here today," Barnes told Warchant. "I'm very interested and high on FSU for sure. I like his coaching ways, and I love it. It reminds me a lot of the coaches here at Apopka, and that style really fits me."
