Kalon Barnes

Kalon Barnes's Biography

Kalon Barnes, born on December 16, 1998, has established himself as a remarkable figure in American professional football. Recognized as a free agent, Barnes commenced his impressive career in college football at Baylor University, where he showcased his commendable football skills that eventually paved the way to his professional football career.

Before attending Baylor, Barnes had a notable high school football career playing as a wide receiver at Silsbee High School. He was widely regarded as a three-star recruit when leaving high school, and on May 4, 2017, he committed to continue his football career at Baylor, one of the esteemed universities renowned for its football program.

Barnes’ athletic prowess wasn’t confined to the football field. He simultaneously competed in track and field activities during his high school years. His agility and speed were unmatched, as demonstrated by his triumphant wins in both the 100 meters and 200 meters categories at the UIL Track and Field Championships in 2017 and 2018 consecutively. He recorded his best time in the 100 meters in 2018, with a wind-assisted (+3.2 m/s) 10.04 seconds sprint.

Barnes’ career witnessed an interesting twist before the starting of the 2018 season when he shifted from the wide receiver position to play as a cornerback, a decision that would shape his football career in many ways.

His notable achievement includes running a 4.23-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, which was the third-fastest time recorded since electronic timing was implemented in 1999. This score superseded all defensive backs, only falling short to Xavier Worthy’s and John Ross’ impressive 40-yard dash times, recorded at 4.21 seconds and 4.22 seconds respectively.

In the 2022 NFL draft, Barnes was honored to be selected by the Carolina Panthers in the seventh round, being the overall 242nd pick. However, his tenure with the Panthers was brief, culminating in his being waived on August 30, 2022.

Shortly after, on September 1, 2022, Barnes began a new chapter in his career when he signed to the practice squad of the Miami Dolphins. He transitioned to the Minnesota Vikings on December 14, 2022. Despite showcasing his skills at the Vikings, Barnes was waived on August 28, 2023.

Continuing his career, Barnes joined the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad on September 15, 2023, but was released on September 26, 2023. He then signed with the New York Jets practice squad on October 3, 2023. His journey with the Jets also came to an end when he was released on December 22, 2023.

Barnes later joined the practice squad of the Cleveland Browns on January 10, 2024. Unfortunately, he did not secure a reserve/future contract with the team, thus becoming a free agent upon the expiration of his practice squad contract.

Despite the setbacks, Barnes did not lose his determination. On January 23, 2024, he signed a reserve/futures contract with the Steelers again. However, he was waived with an injury designation on August 12 and subsequently released on August 19, further highlighting the tough, often unpredictable nature of a career in professional football.

In conclusion, Kalon Barnes’ journey through the realm of American professional football is nothing short of inspiring. The perseverance, the unremitting will to continue despite facing several roadblocks, truly adds to the allure of Barnes’ football career. As a free agent, Barnes continues to strive for opportunities where he can demonstrate his football prowess on the grand stage.