Blake Barnett never did steer far from the spotlight as the star quarterback at Erie High School.<\/p>\n
His tenacity and improvisation could border on reckless and sometimes scared the daylights out of his coaches. That\u2019s part of what made him marvelous.<\/p>\n
Barnett became Colorado\u2019s 11-man career touchdown leader in the fall of 2023 before leading the Tigers to the Class 4A state championship. He engineered the final scoring drive of his career on an injured leg as Erie defeated Palmer Ridge for the title. Then he exited CSU\u2019s Canvas Stadium \u2014 and the high school stage \u2014 in perhaps the only way he knew how: dramatic, triumphant and on one leg, like a gladiator taking his final bow.<\/p>\n
Will we ever see that version of Barnett again?<\/p>\n
Since taking his final snap at Erie, Barnett has been behind the scenes at Kansas State as he tries to prove he can one day become the Wildcats\u2019 starting quarterback. After redshirting in 2024, Barnett served as starter Avery Johnson\u2019s backup last fall. He appeared in four games, rushing 14 times for 40 yards. He did not attempt a pass.<\/p>\n
In 2026, Johnson is returning as the starter under new head coach Collin Klein, a Loveland High School grad. And if he chooses, he could potentially return for a fifth season in 2027.<\/p>\n
Barnett, however, remains optimistic.<\/p>\n
\u201cThings are going great out here,\u201d Barnett told BoCoPreps.com. \u201cThe goal this year is to just be my best self every day and play some meaningful snaps.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although Klein hasn\u2019t named Johnson\u2019s 2026 backup, Barnett is approaching the season intent on proving he\u2019s the Wildcats\u2019 quarterback of the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m hoping I can get in and play with full access to the offense and show what I can do with my arm,\u201d Barnett said. \u201cIf that\u2019s this year or next year, I\u2019ll be ready to help the \u2019Cats win.\u201d<\/p>\n
John Pastore, a senior offensive lineman for the Wildcats, for one, thinks Barnett has the makeup to do it. Pastore played alongside Barnett at Erie before coming to K-State, where it took him years to land a starting gig of his own.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019s got a great shot,\u201d said Pastore, who was named to the preseason All-Big 12 Team earlier this week. \u201cEvery year, he\u2019s becoming more and more confident in himself, which has allowed him to be more comfortable trying to lead the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Though it wasn\u2019t recognized as an official CHSAA record at the time, Barnett surpassed Christian McCaffrey\u2019s 11-man career touchdown record in 2023. As a three-year starter for the Tigers, he accounted for 159 touchdowns while throwing for more than 7,500 yards and rushing for more than 3,400.<\/p>\n