May 10, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State's Ramon Barber will continue his football career at the professional level, after signing a contract with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League.
Barber, who began his Redbird career as a wide receiver before being moved to the secondary in 2005, will report to the Lions camp on May 18 and is currently listed as both a wide receiver and defensive back.
"I'm really happy about signing," Barber said. "I've always wanted to play at the next level and I just hope to go up there and have an impact. (The CFL) is a more wide-open game with only three downs and a bigger field, so you have to be explosive and fast and I think I'm suited for that type of game."
The West Palm Beach, Fla., native played in all 11 games last season with nine starting assignments. He collected 12 tackles in his first game as a defensive starter against Iowa State and intercepted passes in back-to-back games against Drake and Eastern Illinois. He finished the season with 52 tackles, two interceptions and three pass break-ups.
In his first three seasons at Illinois State, Barber hauled in 63 catches for 723 yards receiving. He also finished his career with four touchdown catches, while playing 28 games at wide receiver, including 15 starts.
Barber will join former Redbird Sam Young on the British Columbia roster. Young is entering his third season with the Lions.
