Bryson Barnes’ football journey has taken him to another destination, the CFL.
The former University of Utah and Utah State quarterback signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on Wednesday, days after Barnes participated in rookie mini-camp with the NFL’s Cleveland Browns.
He joins a Redblacks team that is in training camp with three weeks until the start of the 2026 season. Barnes is Ottawa’s second quarterback addition this week.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder made a name for himself as a gritty dual-threat quarterback during his college days, which included three seasons in Salt Lake City and the final two in Logan.
After a standout prep career at Milford High, Barnes walked on at Utah and earned his way into a backup role. Over three seasons with the Utes, he started 11 games — many due to injuries to fellow quarterback Cam Rising — and played in the second half of two Rose Bowls.
Barnes started a majority of the 2023 season and went 7-4 as a starter for Utah. Over his three seasons at the school, he threw for 2,025 yards, 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions while also rushing for 391 yards and three touchdowns.
Barnes finished up his college career at Utah State — after one season primarily as a backup that included three starts, he was the Aggies’ every-game starter in the 2025 season.
He ended up earning second-team All-Mountain West honors as a fifth-year senior, throwing for career-highs of 2,803 yards and 18 touchdowns to just five interceptions while also running for 740 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Following the 2026 NFL draft, Barnes earned an invite to Browns mini-camp, where he was one of two quarterbacks, participating alongside sixth-round draft pick Taylen Green.
Barnes did not sign a contract with Cleveland following the tryout, then signed with the Redblacks days later.
Ottawa currently has four quarterbacks on its roster, including Barnes, fellow new signee Max Duggan, Dru Brown and Jake Maier.
Brown started 24 games for the Redblacks over the past two seasons, though multiple injuries hampered his 2025 campaign and limited him to 10 games.
The Redblacks start their 2026 season on June 6 against the Edmonton Elks. Ottawa will play two preseason games against the Montreal Alouettes on May 22 and May 29.
