The Ottawa Redblacks have named Bryson Barnes their starter at quarterback for their Week 20 game against the Toronto Argonauts.
Barnes took first-team reps in practice throughout the week and will make the first start of his CFL career on Friday. The Redblacks will look to Barnes to end their losing streak, as Ottawa has just two chances remaining to avoid a winless season.
“We’re going to give him the start, see what Bryson’s got,” Redblacks head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said after Wednesday’s practice.
“I think he’s ready for this stage. Early in his career, a young kid, there’s going to be some ups and downs. We’re going to have to shrink the package a bit and do things he’s comfortable with.”
Dinwiddie pointed to Barnes’ ability to use his legs as part of what he offers over the other two options at QB for the Redblacks.
Ottawa’s starting quarterback in the season opener was Jake Maier, who was acquired in the off-season from the Calgary Stampeders.
Maier made 12 starts before he was benched midway through the team’s Week 15 showdown against the Argonauts, when veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson took over.
Bethel-Thompson has started the past four games, and has 1,553 yards and nine touchdowns over 200 pass attempts.
Barnes, 25, spent his college career with Utah and Utah State in NCAA. He participated in the Cleveland Browns’ rookie minicamp in May as an undrafted free agent, and signed with the Redblacks a few days later.
The Redblacks have two chances remaining to pick up a win. No team has ever completed a winless season in the modern era of CFL history.