Syracuse Football: Standout freshman CB Marcellus Barnes likely done for the season

One of Syracuse football's top-performing freshmen to date in the 2024 season is likely done for the remainder of the current campaign.

'Cuse head coach Fran Brown, speaking on ESPN Radio Syracuse's "Orange Nation" program, said of standout freshman cornerback Marcellus Barnes Jr., a top-200 national prospect in the 2024 recruiting cycle, "I don't think Marcellus Barnes will play anymore this year."

According to media reports, Brown didn't specify Barnes' injury that is likely to keep this talented young man out for the rest of the 2024 term, one in which Syracuse football (6-2, 3-2 in the ACC) has clinched post-season bowl eligibility for the third straight year and heads to long-time rival Boston College this Saturday afternoon.

Naturally, 'Cuse Nation is sending positive thoughts and love to Marcellus.

Syracuse football's depth at cornerback will be tested moving forward.

Per ESPN statistics, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound Barnes has appeared in five games so far this season, tallying 10 total tackles and three pass break-ups. When the Orange defeated Virginia Tech last weekend at home, 38-31 in overtime, Barnes registered two solo tackles and four total tackles.

Assuming that Barnes won't play anymore in the 2024 campaign, that will hurt the Orange's depth in the secondary, although the 'Cuse does have other good cornerbacks, such as senior Clarence Lewis, a transfer from Notre Dame, and redshirt sophomore Jayden Bellamy.

In early January of this year, Barnes committed to Syracuse football over a pair of Southeastern Conference schools, Georgia and Ole Miss. He pledged to the 'Cuse during the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, which was both a great recruiting win for the Orange and provided the program with some national recruiting exposure given when Barnes committed.

Barnes, who before joining the 'Cuse was a standout at The McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tenn., was rated as four stars and inside the top 320 nationally of the 2024 cycle by the industry-generated 247Sports Composite and the industry-generated On3 Industry Ranking.

His highest rankings in the 2024 class came via On3, which placed Barnes at No. 162 overall, No. 23 at cornerback and No. 5 in Tennessee.