Bowling Green State University Athletics

Barnes Signs Free Agent Deal With Chicago Bears
April 24, 2010 | Football
Freddie Barnes has signed a free agent deal with the Chicago Bears, a member of the National Football League. Barnes, was a five-year member of the Bowling Green State University from 2005-09.
Barnes, a Fred Biletnikoff Award finalist, recorded a NCAA record 155 receptions in 2009, adding 1,770 receiving yards, while leading the nation with 19 touchdown receptions.
The Chicago Heights, Ill., native also earned first-team All-MAC and FWAA first-team honors, catching at least 10 passes in nine of his 13 games, including a 22-catch effort versus Kent State, one catch shy of the NCAA record for receptions in a season. The fifth-year senior added a school record 278 receiving yards versus the Golden Flashes, one of his nine games this season of over 100 yards receiving.
Barnes opened the year with 15 catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Troy and ended his Falcon career with a Humanitarian Bowl record 17 receptions for 219 yards and three scores. He added 17 receptions for 109 yards versus Marshall, 10 catches for 160 yards and three touchdowns at Ball State, 15 grabs for 172 yards versus Central Michigan and 12 catches for 197 yards and two touchdowns versus Akron.
The awards continued to pill up for the Biletnikoff Award finalist throughout the year, earning Mid-American Conference Player of the Week honors on three occasions, while also being named the College Football Performance Award Wide Receiver of the Year and earning weekly honors by the CFPA three different times in 2009.
Barnes also added much face time in the national media, with spots on the Dan Patrick Show and ESPN's First Take. Barnes was even mentioned as a mid-season Heisman Trophy Candidate on the Dan Patrick Show and had his own website at www.FreddieBarnes.com.
Barnes, who began the 2006 season as the Falcons' starting quarterback, ranks first in BGSU history with 297 receptions and second in yards (3,290) and touchdowns (30).
Barnes, a Fred Biletnikoff Award finalist, recorded a NCAA record 155 receptions in 2009, adding 1,770 receiving yards, while leading the nation with 19 touchdown receptions.
The Chicago Heights, Ill., native also earned first-team All-MAC and FWAA first-team honors, catching at least 10 passes in nine of his 13 games, including a 22-catch effort versus Kent State, one catch shy of the NCAA record for receptions in a season. The fifth-year senior added a school record 278 receiving yards versus the Golden Flashes, one of his nine games this season of over 100 yards receiving.
Barnes opened the year with 15 catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Troy and ended his Falcon career with a Humanitarian Bowl record 17 receptions for 219 yards and three scores. He added 17 receptions for 109 yards versus Marshall, 10 catches for 160 yards and three touchdowns at Ball State, 15 grabs for 172 yards versus Central Michigan and 12 catches for 197 yards and two touchdowns versus Akron.
The awards continued to pill up for the Biletnikoff Award finalist throughout the year, earning Mid-American Conference Player of the Week honors on three occasions, while also being named the College Football Performance Award Wide Receiver of the Year and earning weekly honors by the CFPA three different times in 2009.
Barnes also added much face time in the national media, with spots on the Dan Patrick Show and ESPN's First Take. Barnes was even mentioned as a mid-season Heisman Trophy Candidate on the Dan Patrick Show and had his own website at www.FreddieBarnes.com.
Barnes, who began the 2006 season as the Falcons' starting quarterback, ranks first in BGSU history with 297 receptions and second in yards (3,290) and touchdowns (30).
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