Barnes talks about commitment decision

Port Arthur (Tex.) defensive back Jalen Barnes is the most recent addition to Iowa State's 2013 recruiting class in progress.

The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Barnes has committed to Iowa State sight unseen. But he's done his homework and has made a good connection with his recruiting coach.

"They've been recruiting me since last spring, it's been Coach (Ken) Pope the whole time who has been calling me and writing me," Barnes said. "I chose Iowa State because I like where the program is heading. It looks like I can come in and play and make an impact immediately. They say I could play corner or safety. I've looked at what they have coming back and I feel I can play early there."

Barnes said his first visit to Iowa State will come after his high school season gets over and it will be an official visit. He has not taken any other official visits and has no plans to do so. Previously, Barnes took unofficial visits to Louisiana-Lafayette and Houston.

The verbal offer list for Barnes at the time of his decision to commit to ISU was a solid one. Barnes had picked up offers from other BCS conference schools Mississippi State, Oklahoma State and Utah plus non-BCS schools such as Tulsa, Lousiana Tech, Louisiana-Lafayette, San Jose State and North Texas.

Barnes said he initially called Coach Pope for Iowa State and told him he was ready to accept the Cyclones' scholarship offer. Later, he received a phone call from head coach Paul Rhoads that cemented the commitment.

Barnes said he plans to major in astronomy at Iowa State.