The Toronto Argonauts announced Thursday the team signed import receiver Tyree Barnes after the U.S. Navy graduate returned from 24 months of active service where he was stationed off the coast of Eastern Africa.
The WR — as well as lieutenant junior grade — played four seasons at Navy where as a senior he accounted for nearly half the number of receptions his team made that entire season.
Barnes signed with the New England Patriots after college but was immediately placed in the military reserves for the next 24 months as he reported for active duty with the U.S. Navy. During his service, he was an electronics warfare officer who dealt with counter-missile activity.
Following completion of his service the 25-year-old Hampton, Va., native returned to the Patriots in 2011 and reported for training camp, however he was released prior to the season.
In four years at Navy, Barnes had 837 yards receiving yards and seven touchdowns.