LSU signed one of the top recruiting class in the country this year despite its coaching change, and Pinson (Ala.) wide receiver Corey Barber was one of the biggest late additions. Barber decommitted from Ole Miss after news broke of Lane Kiffin leaving for LSU, and a few days later he committed to the Tigers […]
LSU signed one of the top recruiting class in the country this year despite its coaching change, and Pinson (Ala.) wide receiver Corey Barber was one of the biggest late additions.
Barber decommitted from Ole Miss after news broke of Lane Kiffin leaving for LSU, and a few days later he committed to the Tigers and signed during the Early Signing Period.
“This was pretty easy,” Barber told Rivals’ Chad Simmons. “I’m going to the same offensive coaches that loved me. They feel like I’m that guy, and now I’m going to LSU to play for the same people who believed in me from the beginning. … I’ve been there before and saw them play, and it’s everything people say it is. It’s one of the loudest stadiums I’ve ever been in. It gave me chills. The stadium, the facilities—everything stood out.”
On Monday, Barber gave the Tigers another boost, earning a five-star rating from Rivals in its final rankings release of the 2026 class. His big move comes after a senior season where he hauled in 68 passes for 1,130 yards and 14 touchdowns while leading his team to a state title appearance.
On top of that, he was one of the top performers at last month’s Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game.
“The most dominant player at the event, out of both states was Barber,” wrote Rivals national scout Cody Bellaire. “His ability to separate and pluck the football naturally is phenomenal. He’s not the most physically imposing, but he is dynamic and was borderline unstoppable. Barber was dominant in the 1-on-1 period and caught multiple touchdowns during the redzone and team periods.”
Barber is a prospect who continues to ascend
In the final rankings, he jumped from No. 151 nationally (No. 20 WR) all the way No. 28 overall and the country’s No. 4 wideout. The combination of his breakout senior campaign — along with his postseason all-star game performance — pushed him up into the conversation of the nation’s elite players.
“Corey Barber is a prospect that’s been on a steady rise, dating back to the start of his senior season,” Rivals’ Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power writes. “He’s a receiver who can impact the game in several ways, he’s very versatile and reminds me a good bit of Makai Lemon, with his ability to pick up yards after the catch while also being able to win at the catch point. At around 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, he’s a good athlete but also a hyper-competitive player who really finds ways to impact and make big plays in key moments. Physical, aggressive, competitive and can get open at all levels. We project Barber to be a big-time weapon in Lane Kiffin’s offense. When we were taking stock of this receiver group, it felt like he was worthy of a big rise and ultimately landing as a five-star.”
Category: General Sports
