Former BTW, K-State Standout Dante Barnett Prepares For NFL Draft

BY: DESMOND NUGENT, NEWSON6.COM

TULSA, Oklahoma - Former Booker T. Washington and Kansas State football standout Dante Barnett hopes to hear his name in this weekend’s NFL Draft.

"I mean, a little anxious right now,” he said. "The draft is coming up and everything, and it's something I've been waiting on my whole life."

Barnett credits his success in Manhattan to the Booker T. legacy.

“I think it's time to get to the next level and live up the reputation of the past Booker T. products,” he stated.

Barnett grew up in Tulsa watching former Hornet stars Felix Jones, Robert Meachem and former teammate Tyler Lockett all make a name for themselves in the NFL.

“All those type of players you look up to your whole life,” he said. “It's the time that we always wanted to be in their shoes, and I think as we get older, that time is coming.”

That inspiration helped him fight through a season-ending injury his junior year at K-State and set the stage for a comeback senior year.

"I missed the whole season, and then I came back another year," he recalled.

Now, he hopes that next step includes a lot of time spent in an NFL jersey.

"Everything happens for a reason," said Barnett. "But you know now that I think I'm ready, I'm ready for my opportunity."