Dante Barnett is one of 80 football players on the watch list for the Bednarik Award, given to the top defender in college, announced Tuesday.
Barnett, a senior defensive back, earned the recognition coming off a strong junior year in which he made 77 tackles, defended 11 passes and grabbed three interceptions. He received all-conference honors from the Big 12’s coaches, ESPN and Phil Steele.
A team captain and with 176 career tackles, Barnett is expected to receive more accolades as the season approaches.
Barnett is the sixth K-State player to make his way on the Bednarik Award watch list, and the first since defensive end Ryan Mueller last year.