5 Things: Why Kansas State landed QB commit Blake Barnett
1.) A lot of the quarterbacks that have been landed by Kansas State offensive coordinator Collin Klein have been ones that took some time to materialize. Adryan Lara was a very late addition. Will Howard and Avery Johnson both made decisions over the Summer months. However, the two from Colorado wasted little time. Jake Rubley committed to K-State on New Year’s Day after his junior season of high school and Blake Barnett did it only a few weeks later than that when he made the call for Kansas State on January 19. It helped that the Wildcats recruited him early and often and that he had a prior connection to current K-State offensive lineman John Pastore after attending Erie High School together.
2.) Despite his verbal pledge to Kansas State, the interest level in Barnett has only gained traction and built up even further. The latest schools to inquire about him and poke around have been Utah, Oregon and Nebraska. But he has very little interest in the process itself, even having next to no intent to participate in the Elite 11 regionals since he already selected his destination and doesn’t need the publicity or additional data or body of work to garner attention and interest.
3.) What Barnett is already known for is his explosiveness, mobility and overall speed. Just like last year with Johnson, K-State may have the most athletic quarterback of anyone in the country. Others could be similar, but not many are going to rattle off 100-meter times of 10.97 seconds at over 200 pounds. He was the 4A state champ in the event a year ago and is poised to repeat in 2023 now that his times are even quicker.
4.) He isn’t all legs. Barnett is a 2-time all-state selection in the state and has 106 career touchdowns already in his high school career with one season remaining. His highlights from his junior season were just uploaded to Hudl three weeks ago. It was a year where he produced 3,541 yards and 46 touchdowns alone. Arm strength isn’t a question from me. The Kansas State commit tosses the ball about 55 yards in the air on his first play from a still-standing position exactly on target. His throwing motion looks exceptional times, and quick, and other times has a bit of a wind-up to it. So, that part is a bit inconsistent, but it has upside and shows flashes of being impressive. Barnett’s athleticism and size really pops in the pocket and in the open field, and his ability to make off-platform throws is a strength. The velocity doesn’t show up often, but it did emerge a couple times. The second play of his film showcases him delivering a pass on the move after a spin move in the pocket to elude defenders that reminded me of the Anthony Richardson play at Florida last year. Some of Barnett’s better passes are actually in the back end of his highlight package.
5.) Obviously, he’s an apparent redshirt candidate. Barnett is entering a K-State room that is in the best shape that it has been in years. It is uncertain whether or not it will still consist of Will Howard in 2024, but it will have Avery Johnson.
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