READ: Key 2026 in-state target visiting Penn State for West Virginia game
From @Seth Berry
Happy Valley Insider has confirmed a key Penn State class of 2026 in-state target will be visiting for the West Virginia game on Sept. 2 in week one.
ATH Maurice Barnes will be in attendance to take in the game, as it will be his fourth visit to campus in his recruiting process already.
Barnes holds 10 other offers outside of the Nittany Lions, including from Virginia Tech, Michigan, Syracuse, Rutgers, Maryland, Boston College, Colorado, Duke, Kent State and Akron.
The only other documented visit Barnes has taken to a school that isn't named Penn State was a trip to Virginia Tech in March.
The Pennsylvania product is listed as an ATH in the Rivals' database but is widely being recruited on the defensive side of the ball as an outside linebacker/EDGE type of player.
His speed, versatility and awareness stands out on film on defense, with an ability to cover a lot of space when pursuing opposing ball carriers and a willingness to finish tackles and play with physicality.
At running back, he plays with a similar level of physicality and isn't afraid to seek contact and put his shoulder down to gain extra yards the hard way.
Barnes is a player who will certainly gather more offers and garner even more attention as time goes on, and a player the Nittany Lions would certainly like to keep home.
As a freshman at Bishop McDevitt, Barnes recorded 40 total tackles and five tackles for loss in 11 games played.
He is the third visitor confirmed by Happy Valley Insider to be attending the WVU game, joining 2025 OL Joshua Williams and 2025 TE Brady O'Hara.
https://pennstate.rivals.com/news/k...et-visiting-penn-state-for-west-virginia-game
https://pennstate.rivals.com/news/k...et-visiting-penn-state-for-west-virginia-game
