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New York Jets select Western Michigan LB Zaire Barnes in sixth round of NFL draft 2023

Michigan State running back Jarek Broussard is tackled by Western Michigan linebacker Zaire Barnes (3) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich.
Michigan State running back Jarek Broussard is tackled by Western Michigan linebacker Zaire Barnes (3) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich.

Zaire Barnes is heading to the Big Apple.

The former Western Michigan linebacker was selected by the New York Jets with the No. 184 pick in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft. Barnes led the Broncos with 92 tackles in 2022 and played in all 12 games, in which he had 5½ tackles for loss, 1½ sacks, three fumble recoveries and one interception.

In 2021, Barnes also tied for the team lead in tackles with 68 and was named second-team All-MAC.

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Barnes is the 44th player in school history to be selected in the NFL draft.

He is listed at 6 feet 1 and 227 pounds, and Western Michigan called him a "dominant force" in a congratulatory post for Barnes getting drafted.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: New York Jets pick Western Michigan LB Zaire Barnes in NFL draft 2023