Three-star defensive back Kosci Barnes, a 6‑foot‑3, 190‑pound prospect from North Carolina, is set to take an official visit to the Miami Hurricanes this week. Barnes, rated as the nation’s No. 63 cornerback by 247Sports, recently completed a visit to South Carolina and will head to Miami this week. He’s scheduled to follow up with an official visit to Kentucky during the weekend of June 20.
During his junior season, Barnes amassed 55 tackles, three interceptions, and six tackles for loss, showcasing physicality in coverage and run support. He has 15+ scholarship offers, including from Louisville, Cincinnati, Rutgers, Michigan State, FIU, James Madison and Liberty.
Barnes has emphasized the opportunity to play early as a key factor in his recruitment. He's noted that the Miami staff stressed his positional versatility and readiness to make an early impact at the collegiate level. “They feel like I have position flexibility … and they feel like I can be moved around to get on the field all the time,” Barnes said. “Playing as a freshman is one of my goals.”
Miami’s coaching staff has hosted multiple official visits in June, including four-star linebacker JaMichael Garrett and other top 2026 targets. Earlier this week Miami received two commits from lineman. The first was double legacy 3-star IOL Canon Pickett and the second was 4-star DL Tyson Bacon. Pickett's father played for the Hurricanes and his brother, Booker Pickett Jr., currently plays for Miami. Bacon was the first defensive lineman to commit to the Hurricanes in the 2026 recruiting cycle.
Barnes is expected to commit by mid-summer, according to recruiting reports. As a 6‑foot‑3 cornerback with physical traits and on-field productivity, Barnes fits the vision of long, versatile defensive backs. With an official visit to Kentucky looming, the Canes are expected to make a strong push.