FREE: Local Offensive Lineman Commits

Highland Park OL William Barns committed to SMU on Sunday. Come inside to find out why he pulled the trigger!

It was originally thought that SMU was full at offensive line, but the Mustangs extended an offer to Highland Park center William Barns on Sunday, and he committed soon after.

“Yesterday, Coach (Dan) Morrison called me and offered me,” Barns said. “I had been wanting to make my decision for a while now so I sat down with my family and we talked it over, and I decided to commit.”

Barns said yesterday was the first time he had spoken to Morrison, but he really enjoyed their conversation, and the SMU quarterbacks coach let him know that he would be a perfect fit at center.

“He told me that he had been watching me and really liked what I was doing this season,” said the two-star prospect. “He said that they like me at center because I’m quick, and I have room to get stronger.”

The 6-foot-3, 255-pounder also held offers from Iowa State and San Diego State, but SMU ‘just felt right.’

“My sister goes there so I go there all the time. I have a bunch of buddies that go there as well,” Barns said. “I really like that it’s close to home. I was actually there for the Texas A&M game, and the atmosphere was great. SMU is also a really good school academically, and I make good grades so that was important to me.”

Barns said he would like to make an unofficial visit this weekend to watch SMU host Southern Miss and hopes to get a more in-depth tour of the athletic facilities. He also added that his verbal is solid.