Kalon Barnes (born December 16, 1998) is an American professional football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at Baylor.

Kalon Barnes
Personal information
Born: (1998-12-16) December 16, 1998 (age 25)
Silsbee, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:186 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school:Silsbee (Silsbee, Texas)
College:Baylor (2018–2021)
Position:Cornerback
NFL draft:2022 / round: 7 / pick: 242
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Barnes played wide receiver at Silsbee High School. Barnes was a three-star recruit coming out of high school and committed to play football at Baylor on May 4, 2017.[1][2]

Also competing in track and field, Barnes won both the 100 metres and 200 metres at the UIL Track and Field Championships in 2017 and 2018, consecutively.[3] He ran a wind-assisted (+3.2 m/s) 10.04 seconds in the 100 metres in 2018.[3]

College career

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Barnes converted from wide receiver to cornerback before the 2018 season.[4]

Professional career

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Pre-draft

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Barnes ran a 4.23-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, the third-fastest time at the combine since electronic timing was implemented in 1999 (behind only Xavier Worthy's and John Ross' 40-yard dash times, 4.21 seconds and 4.22 seconds respectively), and the fastest time by a defensive back.[5][6]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11+12 in
(1.82 m)
183 lb
(83 kg)
31+34 in
(0.81 m)
9+78 in
(0.25 m)
4.23 s 1.49 s 2.50 s 4.58 s 7.44 s 40.0 in
(1.02 m)
11 ft 1 in
(3.38 m)
6 reps
Sources:[5][7]

Carolina Panthers

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Barnes was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the seventh round (242nd overall) of the 2022 NFL draft.[8] He was waived on August 30, 2022.[9]

Miami Dolphins

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On September 1, 2022, Barnes was signed to the practice squad of the Miami Dolphins.[10]

Minnesota Vikings

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On December 14, 2022, Barnes was signed by the Minnesota Vikings from the Dolphins practice squad.[11] He was waived on August 28, 2023[12]

Pittsburgh Steelers (first stint)

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On September 15, 2023, Barnes was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad.[13] On September 26, 2023, Barnes was released from the Steelers practice squad.[14]

New York Jets

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On October 3, 2023, Barnes was signed to the New York Jets practice squad.[15] He was released on December 22.[16]

Cleveland Browns

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On January 10, 2024, Barnes was signed to the Cleveland Browns' practice squad.[17] He was not signed to a reserve/future contract by the team after the season and thus became a free agent upon the expiration of his practice squad contract.[18]

Pittsburgh Steelers (second stint)

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On January 23, 2024, Barnes signed a reserve/futures contract with the Steelers.[19] He was waived with an injury designation on August 12.[20] He was released on August 19.[21]

References

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  1. ^ "Kalon Barnes, 2018 Wide Receiver - Rivals.com". n.rivals.com. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  2. ^ Cooke, Hunter (May 5, 2017). "Silsbee WR Kalon Barnes Commits To Baylor | Texas HS Football". Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Faye, Matt (May 12, 2018). "Silsbee's Kalon Barnes runs record-setting times at state meet". Beaumont Enterprise. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  4. ^ Al-Khateeb, Zac (March 7, 2022). "Who is Kalon Barnes? Meet the CB who logged second-fastest NFL Combine 40-yard dash ever". Sporting News. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Kalon Barnes Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  6. ^ Tate, Derek (March 1, 2024). "Fastest Cornerback 40-Yard Dash Times in NFL Combine History". Pro Football Network. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
  7. ^ "2022 Draft Scout Kalon Barnes, Baylor NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  8. ^ "Panthers select cornerback Kalon Barnes out of Baylor". Panthers.com. April 30, 2022.
  9. ^ "Panthers make transactions to get to initial 53-man roster". Panthers.com. August 30, 2022.
  10. ^ "Dolphins make roster moves". MiamiDolphins.com. September 1, 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  11. ^ Thiel, Sam (December 14, 2022). "Vikings Sign CB Kalon Barnes to Active Roster; Place Blake Brandel on Injured Reserve". Vikings.com. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  12. ^ "Vikings Begin Roster Reductions Ahead of Final Roster Cut Deadline". Vikings.com. August 28, 2023.
  13. ^ Varley, Teresa (September 15, 2023). "Steelers add to practice squad". Steelers.com. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  14. ^ Kozora, Alex (September 26, 2023). "Steelers Release CB Kalon Barnes, Work Out WR James Proche". Steelers Depot. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  15. ^ Greenberg, Ethan (October 3, 2023). "Jets Sign 3 Players, All Cornerbacks, to Practice Squad". NewYorkJets.com.
  16. ^ "Jets Sign FB Nick Bawden to Practice Squad". www.newyorkjets.com. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  17. ^ "Browns designate S Grant Delpit to return from injured reserve". ClevelandBrowns.com. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  18. ^ German, Spencer (January 15, 2024). "Browns Begin Offseason By Signing Nine Players To Reserve, Futures Contracts". Sports Illustrated.
  19. ^ Varley, Teresa (January 23, 2024). "Steelers sign five to Reserve/Future contracts". Steelers.com. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  20. ^ Popejoy, Curt (August 11, 2024). "2 Steelers leave Sunday practice with injuries". Steelers Wire. USA Today. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  21. ^ Markowski, Jack (August 20, 2024). "Steelers Release Three Players With Injury Settlements". SI.com. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
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