Recruit of the Week: Kansas State commit Blake Barnett
The KSO Recruit of the Week is Kansas State quarterback commit Blake Barnett.
NAME: Blake Barnett
RANKING: ***
CLASS: 2024
POSITION: Quarterback
HOMETOWN: Erie, Colorado
High School: Erie
POWER FIVE OFFERS: Kansas State, Colorado, Kansas, Oregon State, Washington
COMMITTED: Kansas State
RECRUITING SUMMARY
Kansas State offered Erie quarterback Blake Barnett in May of 2022. A lot like a few other K-State commits in the 2024 cycle, there was not a lot of drama to his recruitment. He took very few visits, answered very few questions, stayed to himself and quietly made his college choice.
The Wildcats led for his services throughout the entirety of his process. He made an unofficial soon after being offered, and it was a productive trip.
He was focused on his high school junior season and did not take many visits once school resumed in August. However, his relationship with Kansas State offensive coordinator Collin Klein was so strong that he decided to commit to the Wildcats on January 19.
Barnett also took a visit during the Spring where he saw a practice and received a more in-depth look at Manhattan.
He was also a wanted man, despite being committed to K-State. Nebraska, Utah and Oregon showed interest in the three-star signal-caller in February, March and April. However, he didn’t budge and has remained committed to the Wildcats.
Additionally, he has been active behind the scenes on the recruiting trail.
EVALUATION
Barnett has good mechanics. They really stand out when watching the future Kansas State signal-caller’s tape from last season. It is a very easy and simple throwing motion with no hitch and his footwork is solid.
Another appealing trait is his ability to throw off platform. On the second play of his junior tape, he spins out of a sack, rolls to his right and throws off balance for a 35-yard touchdown right before being smacked by a defender.
It would not be an evaluation of the rising senior quarterback if we did not speak about his athleticism.
Barnett is a very, very good athlete and ran a 10.72 second 100-meter dash on the track just months ago. He may even be faster than K-State freshman Avery Johnson, it would be a close race. There is even a clip of Barnett on his highlight tape returning a punt and taking it 45 yards before being tackled.
While he does not have the strongest arm in the world, he still has a strong enough arm for what he will see in the Big 12. Barnett is also very accurate and has great ball placement on most of his throws.
PREDICTION
Barnett was commitment No. 2 for Kansas State. He will be enrolling in Manhattan in January.
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