Barnett makes verbal commitment

Brandon Huffman learned Saturday night that Marlion Barnett, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound tight end prospect from Santiago High School in Corona, Calif. verbally committed to Washington during an unofficial visit to Seattle. He picked the Huskies over offers from Boise State, Fresno State, Oregon State, San Diego State and UNLV.

Despite the fact that the Huskies do have a head coach in place for 2009 (Tyrone Willingham has been fired effective December 7th), Barnett apparently saw all he needed to and made his verbal commitment to UW Athletic Director Scott Woodward.

"I just committed today," Barnett told Huffman via text message. "I talked to the Athletic Director - Mr. Woodward. I'm pretty excited, I'm pretty relieved. It was getting pretty hectic and I'm just glad it's over."

Barnett said his visit was a last-minute unofficial trip that was set up on Thursday.

If we get more information tonight, we'll post it here.

Marlion Barnett Scout.com Profile