Zaire Barnes

Has played in 15 games (one start) with the New York Jets (2023) and New York Giants (2025)...Career totals include 16 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and 1 quarterback hit...Also has 13 tackles on special teams.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Has played in 15 games (one start) with the New York Jets (2023) and New York Giants (2025)...Career totals include 16 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and 1 quarterback hit...Also has 13 tackles on special teams.
• Appeared in 11 games (one start) for the Giants in 2025…Totaled 16 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and 1 quarterback hit…Also added 13 tackles on special teams.
• Missed the entire 2024 season after suffering an ankle injury prior to Week 1.
• In 2023, played in four games for the Jets but did not record any statistics.

COLLEGE

• Attended Western Michigan for all four seasons and played in 49 games…Tallied 205 tackles (128 solo), 15 tackles for loss, 10 passes defensed, 3.5 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles and 1 interception.
• In 2022, played in 12 games at linebacker…Career-high 93 tackles (60 solo), 9 passes defensed, 4.5 tackles for loss, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and 1 interception…Named first-team All-MAC.
• Appeared in 13 games in 2021 at safety…Recorded 68 tackles (45 solo), 7 tackles for loss, 3 fumble recoveries, 2.5 sacks and 1 forced fumble.
• Did not play in the shortened 2020 season due to injury...Played in 11 games in 2019…Totaled 29 tackles (16 solo), 3.5 tackles for loss and 1 pass defensed.
• As a freshman in 2018, Barnes played 13 games and produced 15 total tackles (7 solo).

PERSONAL

• Son of Annette and Ron Barnes…Has a brother, Zavier, who was a member of the Saginaw Valley State football program in 2016 and 2017.
• Out of high school, Barnes was ranked the No. 45 player in Illinois by 247Sports.com…Class 7A honorable mention All-State as a running back and safety…Produced 77 tackles (28 solo), 6 touchdowns and totaled 51 carries for 458 yards.

MAIN TRANSACTIONS

• Originally a 6th-round (184th overall) draft choice by the New York Jets in 2023.
• Waived by the Jets on 8/27/25 and signed to the New York Giants' practice squad on 8/29/25