It's easy to see why Casey Barner Jr. is among the best safeties in the country. With his physicality and burst, he wins battles on both sides of the ball. In McEachern High School's (Powder Springs, GA) opening game on Wednesday, Aug. 19, the junior showed why he's one of the most electric players in the nation, regardless of class.
He powered the Indians' 40-10 win over Kell (Marietta, GA) and was named MVP of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic after recording a 58-yard touchdown run and an interception.
Barner's TD run was his first carry of the season, a dash in which he broke through a couple defenders and outpaced the rest to break open the score 13-3 as the first quarter neared its end.
TOUCHDOWN! 1Q | :46 | @McEachernFtball 13, @Kell_Football
3@casey_barner2 his first carry of the season look EASY with a 58-yard rushing score! ⚡️ ⚡️ ⚡️ ⚡️ 🎟️: https://t.co/b0zi4d8QV3 📺: https://t.co/rHwYhCWj9G pic.twitter.com/vpOTXFgXIO
— Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic (@CorkyKell) August 20, 2026
His interception in the third quarter was a beauty, using his closing speed to track down the ball and rip it away from a receiver who didn't look like he expected Barner to be there yet.
He returned the interception to midfield, putting the Indians in position to extend their lead to 27-3.
Casey Barner is a highlight factory pic.twitter.com/p6tE0ZgOV5
— Benjamin Wolk (@benjaminwolk) August 20, 2026
His burst is also apparent when blitzing into the backfield. On this tackle for loss posted to X by 247Sports' Benjamin Wolk, Barner got a good jump, went in untouched, and collided with the running back to bring him down.
This is the same guy who just had a 70-yard touchdown run
— Benjamin Wolk (@benjaminwolk) August 20, 2026
Casey Barner is different pic.twitter.com/f0aPAr6K91
Barner was named to the ALL-USA Southeast Region preseason football team. Ranked as the No. 3 safety in the country and top safety in the class of 2028 by USA TODAY, he's already making noise on the national circuit.
Listed at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, Barner is uncommitted but has 54 offers, according to 247Sports. He's ranked No. 5 in the class of 2028 on the 247Sports Composite. With his acceleration, crave of contact and ability to close out on receivers, he's already making an impact through just one game.
As the season progresses, he'll look to lead McEachern through a difficult Georgia schedule.
Other key McEachern performances
McEachern quarterback Brenton James connected with receiver Jahlil Page for two touchdowns. James, a senior, has four offers from Marshall, Toledo, Bethune-Cookman and Cornell, according to 247Sports. As a junior, he passed for 2,780 yards at a 65.6% clip and threw 36 touchdowns to eight interceptions. He rushed for five more scores on the ground.
Page looks like an emerging star for McEachern. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, he's just a sophomore, but already has offers to eight programs, including Indiana, Florida and Auburn. He saw a little time as a freshman but, through one game, could be a prime target for James this year.
TOUCHDOWN!
— Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic (@CorkyKell) August 20, 2026
2nd | 2:26 | @McEachernFtball 27, @Kell_Football 3
It’s ALL Indians here in the first half as @BrentonJames_2 finds @jahlil_page to extend the lead to 24!
🎟️: https://t.co/b0zi4d8QV3
📺: https://t.co/rHwYhCWj9G pic.twitter.com/WDxMweeXfW
Three-star cornerback Kayden Battle, committed to Pittsburgh, ended the scoring with an exclamation point, returning an interception 99 yards for a touchdown to put McEachern up 40-10.
PICK-6!
— Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic (@CorkyKell) August 20, 2026
3rd | 5:47 | @McEachernFtball 40, @Kell_Football 10
A 99-YARD PICK-6 from @KaydenBattle!
🎟️: https://t.co/b0zi4d8QV3
📺: https://t.co/rHwYhCWj9G pic.twitter.com/oqu9bTe9Fj
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: All-USA safety Casey Barner Jr. flashes superstar potential in McEachern's opener
