The Calgary Stampeders signed offensive lineman William Barnes and linebacker Morice Blackwell Jr. to the practice squad on Wednesday. They also placed wide receiver Reggie Begelton (knee) on the six-game injured list.
William Barnes is six foot four and weighs 308 pounds. The 25-year-old Apopka, Florida, signed with the Calgary Stampeders on October 11, 2024. In 2025, he played left tackle in two preseason games. The Stampeders released him on May 31, 2025.
Barnes attended the New York Giants rookie minicamp in 2024. The D.C. Defenders signed Barnes on May 23, 2024. He did not see any action for the Defenders in 2024.
Collegiately, Barnes played five seasons at North Carolina (2019-23) playing 61 games on the offensive line for the Tar Heels. In 2023, North Carolina’s offense averaged 299.2 yards passing per game (14th NCAA/1st ACC), 192.1 yards rushing per game (19th NCAA/3rd ACC), 491.2 total yards per game (7th NCAA/1st ACC), and 34.5 points per game (20th NCAA/2nd ACC). In addition, the offense blocked for the nation’s fifth-leading rusher, Omarion Hampton, who ran for 1,504 yards.
Morice Blackwell Jr. is six foot one and weighs 218 pounds. The 22-year-old from Fort Worth, Texas, attended the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers rookie minicamps.
Collegiately, Blackwell Jr. played four seasons at Texas (2021-24) making 65 tackles (39 solos, 26 assists), four tackles for loss, two pass breakups, one fumble recovery, one blocked kick, and one kick return for no yards in 48 games for the Longhorns. In 2024, he made 30 tackles (17 solos, 13 assists) in 15 games.
