Football
Illinois Football RB commit Javari Barnett Flips to Alabama
The Crimson Tide snag away a commit from Illinois Football
News: In what feels like a rare bit of bad news for Bret Bielema’s squad these days, former Illinois commit Javari Barnett has flipped his pledge to the 18-time national champion Alabama Crimson Tide.
The Tampa, Florida native had a tough decision to make after committing to the Illini back in early April, but ultimately chose to reopen things following a weekend visit to Tuscaloosa, and decided to roll with the Tide. Undoubtedly, the SEC powerhouse will be adding a good one to their backfield rotation. In 2025-24, Barnett racked up 30 carries for 249 yards and 4 scores before being sidelined for the season after 3 games, with a torn meniscus.
It’s a tough loss, no doubt, but not one Illinois can’t recover from. To Bielema’s staff’s credit, it looks like the staff already had a plan in place.
BREAKING: Four-Star RB Javari Barnett has Flipped his Commitment from Illinois to Alabama, he tells me for @on3recruits
The 6’0 215 RB from Tampa, FL had been Committed to the Fighting Illini since April
“Not just doing it but imma do it big.”https://t.co/mNSK4LBJph pic.twitter.com/4EVd5iEitK
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 23, 2025
What It Means for Illinois Football – Barnett Flips to Bama

Dec 31. 2024. Orlando, FL. USA. Illinois Fighting Illini. Aidan Laughery. South Carolina Gamecocks. Camping World Stadium. Credit: Jeremy Reper. Imagn Images.