THE PERFECT COMMITMENT: 2026 3-Star CB and Track Star Announces Commitment to West Virginia Football Over JMU, Louisville, USF, and Wake Forest
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — On a breezy Friday afternoon under a cloudless Appalachian sky, the Mountaineers landed what many are calling the perfect commitment. Aidan “Jet” Barnes, a 3-star cornerback from Stonebridge High School in Virginia and a two-time state champion sprinter, officially committed to West Virginia University’s football program, turning down offers from James Madison, Louisville, South Florida, and Wake Forest.
In a ceremony held on his high school’s 50-yard line, Barnes unzipped his track jacket to reveal a navy blue T-shirt with the iconic gold flying WV, igniting cheers from classmates, coaches, and family members. “It just felt right,” Barnes said, beaming. “From the moment I stepped on campus, I felt the energy, the tradition, and the vision Coach Brown and his staff have. I knew I could grow there—both as a corner and as a man.”
At 6’0” and 175 pounds, Barnes is more than just a shutdown corner—he’s a burner on the track and a scholar in the classroom. A two-sport athlete with a 4.1 GPA, he clocked a 10.52 in the 100m dash last spring, ranking him among the top high school sprinters in the mid-Atlantic. That same explosive speed translates fluidly to the gridiron, where he totaled five interceptions, 15 pass breakups, and two return touchdowns during his junior campaign.
“He’s got next-level instincts and elite recovery speed,” said Stonebridge head coach Donny Frazier. “He baits quarterbacks like a seasoned vet, and when he flips his hips, forget it—he’s gone. Add in that track speed, and you’ve got a corner who can match up with anybody in the Big 12.”
Barnes becomes the seventh commit of WVU’s 2026 recruiting class and the first defensive back. His decision gives the Mountaineers momentum on the recruiting trail, particularly in the DMV region where Barnes has become a household name. “We want to keep building our presence in Virginia,” said WVU defensive backs coach Jahmile Addae. “Aidan is the type of athlete who changes games. He fits our culture, our system, and our future.”
Despite heavy pursuit from Louisville—who pitched early playing time—and a strong late push from Wake Forest, Barnes said his final decision was rooted in comfort and connection. “West Virginia didn’t just recruit me. They recruited my family. They showed love from day one and believed in me when I was still under the radar.”
Barnes also plans to run track at WVU, making him a dual-sport threat that the athletic department is excited to support.
As he hugged his mother, who wiped away tears with a Mountaineers towel, the message was clear: West Virginia isn’t just getting a player—they’re getting a leader, a scholar, and a potential cornerstone for their defensive future.
“The climb starts now,” Barnes said. “Let’s get to work.”
