Northeast star Barnes won’t make any quick decisions on college

THE FAB FIVE remains intact, and don't expect any changes.

That's the story from Deion Barnes - who these days might as well spell his name with capital letters, followed by exclamation points - and he insists he'll stick with it.

Penn State, Pitt, Michigan, Georgia. South Carolina. All will see him for official visits, and each one will have a chance to warm his heart.

Wait. Suppose he treks to one and absolutely loves it? There's no chance he'll place his hands on his hips and call off the jam?

"I want to see all five," he insisted. "Who knows? I could go to one and think it's great and wind up making a mistake. This is too important. I want to make the best decision of my life.

"People ask me if I have a favorite. How could I have a favorite before I see them?"

Barnes, who weighs 230 and stands a hair under 6-5, is this year's megaprospect in what are popularly called the three "city leagues" - Public, Catholic and Inter-Ac.

His positions for Northeast High are end on defense and tight end or even wideout on offense. His already-present skill level, when combined with what everyone sees as lots of room for positive body expansion, has schools nationwide in drool mode.

And, yes, that means Barnes is still fielding occasional calls from those that already have been eliminated from the sweepstakes, along with come-lately-to-Deions.

"Some schools not in the top five still call me," he said. "They're just showing they have interest."

Does he ever feel like saying, "Yo, listen up, I have my top five. Stop calling!"

He smiled and said, "I'm too much of a nice guy. I'd never say no."

For years and years, top prospects rarely surfaced in the Pub. But last year, there was George Washington defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd, who created even a larger hubbub and already is making an impact at Florida. And right before him was Northeast wideout Je'Ron Stokes, now at Michigan.

Being able to play is one thing. Making yourself appealing overall is another. Barnes is solid in that area, as well.

"My mom [Cynthia] wouldn't have it any other way." He maintains a 2.9 grade-point average in a magnet program and already achieved a qualifying SAT score, but that won't keep him from again tackling the test with the hope of adding a few more points.

Barnes lives near 11th and Erie, and his father, Robert, played for Olney. (One of his coaches there was current Northeast assistant Gary Covington.)

"When I come off the field and hear my dad say how well I played, and how proud of me he is, that's the best feeling in the world," Deion said. "He gets more fired up for the games than I do. He's basically living his life through me."

In a good way, that is. Dad's involvement includes nothing but support.

Coach Chris Riley figures he has interacted with Barnes' parents no more than twice. They don't try to coach his team. Don't try to curry favor for their son. They watch and cheer and enjoy, and that's it. What a concept.

Barnes' Fab Five includes schools where he could picture himself having a great overall experience, including education, and starting very early, if not right away.

His first offer came last February from South Carolina. Along the way, he was giving thought to 13 schools.

"That was pretty insane," he acknowledged. "I'd get a call from one coach, but I wouldn't be able to answer it, because I was talking to another coach. Sometimes it was hard to even go to sleep. I decided to narrow things down when the season started."

Saturday, Northeast will play Samuel Fels in a Public AAAA semifinal, and the Vikings' season will last at least through Thanksgiving. Barnes senses he will begin his official visits in early December, with Penn State or Georgia slated to welcome him first.

Penn State might emerge as the winner, one school of thought goes, because Barnes has such a great relationship with his family and wouldn't want to be too far from home.

Like all youthful gridders, Barnes always dreamed of starring in high school and college and advancing to the NFL. He played his weight ball for the North Philly Aztecs and ever since, nothing has convinced him that his original thoughts were misguided.

"Hard work paid off," he said. "I've been waiting for this for a long time."

He received inspiration, he added, 2 years ago upon watching the Stokes brothers (Malik is now attending Taft School in Connecticut) generate large interest.

"I figured their skill level was similar to mine," he said. "I figured, 'If they can do it, I can do it.' I always looked at Je'Ron's work ethic. That was crazy. He was lifting more weight than the linemen. That got me pushing hard. And Antoine Fowler [guard-linebacker, '09] was like a mentor to me."

Most colleges see Barnes as a speed-rushing end. When Pub quarterbacks see him coming their way, they mutter, "Why didn't I play soccer?" He's one of those rare guys with size, strength, athleticism and orneriness.

"I started playing football when I was 4," Barnes said. "I never imagined it would be like this. But when I got that first offer from South Carolina and then other big-time schools joined in . . . It's all very special."

And nowhere close to being decided. *