The Winnipeg Blue Bombers released running back Vance Barnes on Friday. The 25-year-old from Bloomington, Minnesota, signed with the Blue Bombers last year but never played a game.
Collegiately, Barnes played one season at St. Cloud State in 2015 as a wide receiver with 12 catches for 145 yards, two carries for 11 yards, seven kick returns for 213 yards, and one touchdown in nine games for the Huskies.
Then, Barnes transferred to Minnesota State in 2017. He played two seasons with the Mavericks with 16 catches for 216 yards, two touchdowns, 17 carries for 173 yards, one touchdown, and seven kick returns for 107 yards. He was named to the NSIC All-Academic Team.
In 2021, Barnes went to Northern State as a graduate transfer with 67 carries for 389 yards, three touchdowns, 21 catches for 350 yards, five touchdowns, and 35 kick returns for 848 yards in 11 games.
In high school, Barnes tallied 1,287 all-purpose yards and 11 touchdowns for the Minnetonka Skippers. He earned all-conference accolades in his final season.
