Kalon Barnes

Kalon Barnes (born December 16, 1998) is an American football cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Baylor.

Early years
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.

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. He ran a wind-assisted (+3.2 m/s) 10.04 seconds in the 100 metres in 2018.

College career
Barnes converted from wide receiver to cornerback before the 2018 season.

Pre-draft
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.

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

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

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

Pittsburgh Steelers (first stint)
On September 15, 2023, Barnes was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad. On September 26, 2023, Barnes was released from the Steelers practice squad.

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

Cleveland Browns
On January 10, 2024, Barnes was signed to the Cleveland Browns' practice squad. 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.

Pittsburgh Steelers (second stint)
On January 23, 2024, Barnes signed a reserve/futures contract with the Steelers.