4-star OL/DL Michael Barnett makes surprise flip from FSU to Georgia

This morning 4-star offensive/defensive lineman Michael Barnett (Dorchester, SC/Woodland HS) was supposed to sign his financial aid papers to begin his enrollment process at Florida State.

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But Barnett shocked everyone by instead signing papers to become an early enrollee in Georgia’s 2015 class, per a report from Dawgs247.com (subscription required to view).

The news was reported by Charleston’s WCIV-TV, who was there for the ceremony and tweeted out the shocking turn of events.

This is a huge flip, and possibly an indication that the troubles swirling around Jameis Winston at FSU are starting to give potential commits second thoughts.

The 6-foot-5, 258 pound strong side defensive end is ranked as the number four overall player in South Carolina, and the number 11 defensive end in the nation according to 247Sports composite rankings.

Barnett was a strong verbal commit to FSU, but had also considered Clemson and Virginia Tech. Georgia was considered a dark horse to land the 4-star prospect. He was recruited by Georgia defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt (who probably had some contact with him while at FSU) and inside linebackers coach Mike Ekeler.

This is one more fine addition to a 2015 class which is already starting to turn a lot of heads.