The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed former Northern State running back Vance Barnes, Northern State wide receiver Dominick Fiscelli, and Buffalo offensive lineman Desmond Bessent. In addition, they added Georgia defensive back Tyrique McGhee from the suspended list to the active roster.
Vance Barnes is five foot seven and weighs 190 pounds. The 25-year-old from Bloomington, Minnesota, was released by the Blue Bombers in January. He was with Winnipeg in 2022 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.
Dominick Fiscelli is five foot nine and weighs 180 pounds. The 24-year-old from Sterling Heights, Michigan, played one season at Northern State in 2022 making 13 catches for 143 yards, four carries for 20 yards, and three kick returns for 68 yards in five games for the Wolves.
Before Northern State, Fiscelli played three seasons at Saginaw Valley State (2017-19) with 38 catches for 474 yards, two touchdowns, eight carries for 44 yards, and three kick returns for 31 yards in 22 games for the Cardinals.
Desmond Bessent is six foot seven and weighs 305 pounds. The 25-year-old from Tampa, Florida, played one season at the University of Buffalo in 2022 starting 13 games at right tackle for the Bulls. He helped block for an offense that ranked in the top five in the conference in scoring offense (28.5), total offense (377.2), and passing offense (235.3). Bessent was named All-MAC Third Team.
Before Buffalo, Bessent played six games in three seasons at San Diego State University (2018-21). He was a backup left tackle to preseason all-Mountain West selection Zachary Thomas.
Tyrique McGhee is five foot ten and weighs 187 pounds. The 24-year-old from Byron, Georgia, signed with the Blue Bombers in February 2022. Before Winnipeg, he signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and was later placed on the practice squad.
Collegiately, McGhee played four seasons at the University of Georgia (2016-19) with 59 tackles, half a sack, two interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in 50 games for the Bulldogs.
