TNS Photo                                                            Penn State head coach James Franklin greets fans before the Blue-White game on April 26, 2025.

(TNS) – Penn State is a finalist for one of the top defensive backs in the 2026 recruiting cycle — and the Nittany Lions will find out in a matter of weeks if he’s joining their class.

Dorian Barney, a four-star cornerback from Carrollton (Ga.) and a top Nittany Lion target, is down to four finalists: Penn State, Michigan, Texas A&M and Georgia Tech.

Barney is set to reveal his commitment decision on July 5, he told on3 on Tuesday.

Barney is the No. 75 overall prospect and the No. 8 cornerback in the 2026 cycle, according to Rivals. He also had offers from Ohio State, Alabama, Texas, Georgia, LSU and a host of power programs.

Barney returned to Penn State for an official visit a couple weeks ago after checking out campus during spring camp. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound prospect is actually a Pennsylvania native, having grown up in Erie prior to moving to Georgia a few years ago.

Penn State made a good impression on Barney during his most recent trip to Happy Valley, but he is slated to visit his other finalists over the next few weeks.

The Nittany Lions already have three cornerbacks committed in their 2026 class: Imani Christian four-star David Davis, North Cross (Va.) three-star Jaziel Hart and Winslow (N.J.) three-star Julian Peterson. But Penn State is looking to add more to the secondary.

Barney is a top priority. So are Loyola Blakefield (Md.) four-star cornerback Khary Adams and La Salle College four-star safety Joey O’Brien, arguably the top player in Pennsylvania.