Juwuan Jones likes the way Western Kentucky’s Chris Barclay approaches recruiting.

Jones, a three-star Class of 2017 linebacker, said the Hilltopper running backs coach “is very easy to talk to and he keeps it real with you.”

“He’s not like some of these coaches who try to sell you something fake,” Jones told the Daily News in a text message Sunday after committing to WKU. “He is very authentic.”

Barclay is one of the new members of the Toppers’ coaching staff, but he’s quickly made a major impact on the recruiting trail. The Louisville native is responsible for recruiting much of the state of Georgia.

So far Barclay has garnered three commitments from Class of 2017 Georgia prospects as their primary recruiter – Jones, wide receiver Khalil Newton and quarterback Davis Shanley.

Barclay also landed Class of 2016 Georgia defensive end Cecil Stallings this summer and helped earn the commitments of Class of ’17 running backs Caleb Huntley (Georgia) and Markenzy Pierre (Florida).

“What I love about coach Barclay is he’s very honest and honesty is a big part of this process because I don’t like anything to be sugarcoated,” said Shanley, who committed Saturday. “… He does a very good job recruiting because he’s very nice, he’s very honest.

“He’ll tell you how it is and he’s also very encouraging and wants what’s best for you.”

Barclay was a standout running back alongside future Louisville star Michael Bush during his prep days at Male High School. He went on to Wake Forest, where he played from 2002-05 and became the school’s all-time leading rusher with 4,032 yards and 40 touchdowns.

After a pro career from 2006-08, Barclay coached at Wake Forest from 2009-11 and FCS school William & Mary from 2012-13.

Barclay worked the 2014 and ’15 seasons as running backs coach at WKU’s Conference USA rival Marshall. He was then hired by coach Jeff Brohm this offseason to fill the same role on the Hilltoppers’ staff.

It was during Barclay’s time at Marshall that he said he began recruiting the state of Georgia and getting to know coaches and prospects in that talent-rich state.

“I’ve definitely formed some strong recruiting ties with some of the high school coaches down there,” Barclay said Wednesday. “Great coaches, do a tremendous job preparing their kids, teaching them toughness.

“Those kids a lot of times are very prepared when they get to the collegiate level. Just the relationships I’ve been able to develop down there have really been tremendous for us on the recruiting trail.”

WKU’s had plenty of success in recent years with players from the state of Georgia.

Recent Hilltoppers to hail from the Peach State include former running back Bobby Rainey (Griffin, Ga.) and former defensive end Quanterus Smith (Decatur), both of whom are now in the NFL.

Eleven Georgia natives are on the current WKU roster, including starting right guard Dennis Edwards (Snellville) and starting right tackle Darrell Williams, Jr. (Dublin).

The Georgia commits Barclay has helped deliver also look poised to make impacts in years to come.

Stallings (Tucker) was a former South Carolina and Louisville commit rated a three-star prospect. Newton (Stone Mountain) was a high-priority receiving recruit for the Toppers. Jones (Buford) chose WKU over a long list of scholarship offers that included Wisconsin.

Shanley (Cummins) and Huntley (Locust Grove) add to depth at the quarterback and running back positions where WKU’s had success developing talent in recent years.

“Georgia’s always been a fertile ground for us,” Barclay said. “… It’s just far enough for those kids to grow up, but close enough that they can see their parents and see their families and things like that on the weekends.

“That’s going to continue to be a talent-rich area and footprint for us.”

Barclay said recruiting to WKU has been made easier due to the school’s recent success. The Hilltoppers have won at least seven games every season since 2011 and finished last year 12-2 and ranked No. 24 in the year’s final AP poll.

The Tops’ victory over Southern Mississippi in the Conference USA Championship Game and over South Florida in the Miami Beach Bowl were both broadcast on ESPN networks, allowing recruits to see the program win on national TV.

“Anytime you have success, it really sells itself,” Barclay said. “It’s an exciting time here on the Hill. There’s a lot that we have to offer for prospective student-athletes and once we get these kids on campus we feel good.”

Of course recruiting is only one aspect of Barclay’s job. He’s also tasked with developing the WKU running backs each day in practice.

Barclay inherited a running backs group that includes redshirt sophomore D’Andre Ferby and redshirt senior Anthony “Ace” Wales – both of whom were named this summer to the Doak Walker Award watch list.

“It’s an honor to coach those type of backs, especially because those kids like to work,” Ferby said. “They come out here every day and get better. They hold each other accountable and they push each other.”

Ferby praised Barclay’s approach to coaching, saying much of his focus is in developing his players off the field.

Ferby said Barclay will give his running backs a piece of scripture each day and have them relate it to their lives as football players and students.

“He’s made me better as a man with little things,” Ferby said.

Ferby, himself a former high-profile recruit, said he can see why Barclay’s had success in landing talented high school prospects.

“He’s motivating,” Ferby said. “When you talk to him you really believe what he’s saying. …

“He’s family-oriented and I believe that. I know these recruits are eyes as big as I-don’t-know-what because they’re like, ‘Oh man, I’m coming here.’”

-Follow Daily News sports reporter Brad Stephens on Twitter @BradBGDN or visit bgdailynews.com.