Goal No. 15: LEADERSHIP. Everyone can set the example.<\/p>\n
Redshirt Freshman | 6-1 | 188 lbs. | Topeka, Kansas<\/p>\n
Callen Barta (b. March 1, 2006) is an athletic<\/a> young Topeka safety-turned-wide receiver who is majoring in human and health sciences. He moved to wide receiver and changed numbers during 2025 spring practices.<\/p>\n Barta saw action on kickoff coverage in the Rate Bowl against Rutgers as he retained his redshirt in 2024.<\/p>\n He prepped under head coach Jared Swafford at Seaman High School in Topeka, where he was rated the eighth-best prospect in Kansas in the Class of 2024 by 247Sports<\/a> and On3<\/a>.<\/p>\n He totaled 104 tackles and 13 interceptions during his prep career, to go along with 128 catches for 1,847 yards and 20 touchdowns on offense.<\/p>\n He chose K-State<\/a> over offers from Benedictine, Emporia State, Midland, Missouri Southern State, Peru State, Washburn and Nebraska, from which he previously de-committed, as well as strong interest from regional recruiting rivals Colorado State, Iowa, Iowa State<\/a>, Kansas (preferred walk-on offer), Minnesota, Missouri and North Dakota State.<\/p>\n His primary recruiter was his new position coach, defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman<\/a>, assisted by director of football recruiting Taylor Braet<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201c(Coach Klanderman<\/a>) really loves my athleticism,\u201d Barta told KSNT<\/a>. \u201cHe really believes I will be the most athletic in the safety room. I\u2019m ready to go down and play.\u201d<\/p>\n He is familiar with, but not related to, K-State football legend and Holton High School head football coach Brooks Barta. There is still a connection there: Callen\u2019s dad, Jerry Barta, played high school football with Brooks Barta and Mark Simoneau at Smith Center.<\/p>\n