Philadelphia, PA – N.C. Wesleyan Athletics is proud to announce that graduate student offensive lineman Desmond Barnes has been selected to play in the prestigious National CFBALL Alumni Bowl in Philadelphia, PA, on November 24th at 11:00 AM.
A standout on the field for the Battling Bishops, Barnes will represent Wesleyan at the left guard position in the annual all-star game, which gathers the top talent from NCAA Division II and III football. Known for his tenacity in the trenches, Barnes earned back-to-back USA South All-Conference honors and was named a team captain for Coach Filkovski's squad this season. Throughout the past two years, Barnes has been an impenetrable force on the line, allowing just a single sack.
The CFBALL Alumni Bowl, presented by the College Football Alumni Association (CFBALL), has become a premier event for showcasing top college talent and veteran football players looking to make a mark at the professional level. Only the best All-American, All-Conference seniors, alumni, and free agents are invited to participate, highlighting the level of competition that Barnes will face as he takes to the field.
Originally known as the National Bowl, the CFBALL Alumni Bowl has been a significant post-season event for the past decade, with the first three years held at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown, PA, followed by a stint at FIU Stadium in Miami, and then Daytona Beach Stadium in Florida in 2016. In 2024, the bowl game returns to Pennsylvania after partnering with CFBALL, and now features not only top college players but also veteran college football alumni and free agents looking for professional opportunities.
For Barnes, this opportunity is a culmination of years of hard work, leadership, and dedication to the game. As he prepares to take the field with some of the best talent in the nation, NCWU extends its congratulations to Desmond Barnes for this well-deserved recognition.
Kickoff for the National CFBALL Bowl is set for 11:00 AM on November 24th in Philadelphia, and fans are encouraged to tune in on YouTube to see Barnes represent Wesleyan on the national stage.
