5-Star ATH Casey Barner Details Tennessee Football Standpoint

The Tennessee Volunteers have been excellent when it comes to recruiting as of recently. This includes recruiting some of the best players in the country for many different classes. One player that they remain in the picture for is arguably the best player in the country and the state of Georgia as a whole.

That player is five-star defensive back Casey "Superman" Barner, who ranks as high as the No. 5 prospect in the country. Barner recently caught up with Vols On SI to detail where things stand with the Vols.

Casey Barner Talks to Vols On SI

Josh heupe — Tennessee coach Josh Heupel speaks to the media during Tennessee football’s media day on Aug. 4, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

"I feel like I executed and I feel like I dominated, but I still left some plays out there on the field. There are still some things I want to clean up," Barner said when speaking to Vols On SI following McEachern's win against Kell High School.

Barner would then discuss how Tennessee is doing now that there has been an overhaul when it comes to the defensive staff.

Tennessee Jumps Back Into the Picture

"Yeah, Tennessee is cool. They are coming back into the picture. You know, it's a new staff, so, they are doing what they can do, and they are doing the best job they can," Barner said.

Barner isn't against visiting the Vols, but has he scheduled a visit yet?

"I'm not sure. I have to talk to my team and my family to see how they are feeling, and how I am feeling about it," Barner said.

Tennessee isn't exactly at the top, however, you can't count them out just yet.

"Like I said they are doing what they are doing. They are climbing back up my board," Barner said.

There have been a plethora of different coaches Barner has had the chance to connect with. This includes the newly added defensive backs coach, Derek Jones.

"Coach DJ (Derek Jones) and the head coach, Josh Heupel. I have also started to build a relationship with Coach (Jim) Knowles. They haven't broke down the defense to me yet, but I know that if I go there they will break it all down for me, and tell em things I need to know about the defense," Barner said.

Darryl Rivers Could Play a Massive Role

Barner used to play high school football with a player who signed with the Tennessee Vols during the winter. That player is Darryl Rivers. Barner spoke extremly high on the new Tennessee defensive lineman.

"I haven't talked to Darryl (Rivers) in a little minute, he has been locked in bro. He has been locked in. He could convince me to Tennessee for a visit, I think he can. I loved playing with Darryl. He is a dawg," Barner said.

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