KNOXVILLE — Tennessee held its final on-campus recruiting day Thursday amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The coronavirus pandemic has forced the Southeastern Conference to implement a halt in recruiting until at least April 15.
Another Awesome Visit this week at The University of Tennessee…Thank you to the Vols Coaches & Staff for the Opportunity #GBO 🍊 pic.twitter.com/Bbe274R3uh
— Ryan Barnes (@Bo11Ryan) March 14, 2020
Ryan Barnes visited Tennessee on the final recruiting day before on and off-campus activity takes a hiatus until at least one month from now.
Barnes is a 6-foot-2, 180-pound cornerback from Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, Md.
The 2021 prospect discussed his UT visit and time with Jeremy Pruitt and Derrick Ansley with Vols Wire.
“I thought they were great,” Barnes said of Pruitt and Ansley. “I got a chance to sit in on a team meeting with the defense and then watched them execute Coach Ansley’s plan on the practice field. It was also cool seeing Coach Pruitt work with the defensive backs at practice.
“It was awesome seeing practice because I know there is a lot of expertise on the staff from the head coach, defensive coordinator and defensive backs coaches. I also knew Coach Pruitt was a defensive back when he played.”
Barnes was initially offered by the Vols on Nov. 25, 2019. Newly-promoted tight ends coach Joe Osovet played a role in offering Barnes.
“Coach Oz has been like family from the first time I spoke with him,” Barnes said of Osovet. “He has a great sense of humor and has been very direct and informative about Tennessee with myself and my family.”