2024 safety Callen Barta flips commitment from Nebraska to Kansas State

Topeka (Kan.) Seaman three-star safety Callen Barta has flipped his commitment from Nebraska to Kansas State.

The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder was committed to the Cornhuskers since June 18, but opted to flip following his official visit with Kansas State over the weekend.

Barta is the No. 156 safety and No. 9 player in Kansas in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s the No. 1652 overall recruit.

For more Kansas State recruiting intel, check out K-State Online.

He does not currently have an On3 NIL Valuation. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.

Kansas State looking to bolster 2024 recruiting class

The addition of Barta makes just eight commitments for Chris Klieman and Co. K-State’s class is No. 90 in the nation and No. 15 in the Big 12, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking.

Headlining the class is a trio of in-state pledges: Lyndon three-star offensive tackle Kaedin Massey, Shawnee Mill Valley three-star OT Gus Hawkins and Stilwell Blue Valley three-star running back John Price.

Other commits include Castle Rock (Co.) Douglas County three-star safety Jake Stonebraker, Erie (Co.) three-star quarterback Blake Barnett, Downington (Pa.) West three-star interior offensive lineman Ryan Howard, West Des Moines (Iowa) Dowling Catholic three-star IOL Kyle Rakers and now Barta.

Wildcats trending for 4-star prospect

While K-State is trying to reach the levels that its 2023 class found and maintained, it’s now trending for what would become its highest-ranked commitment in Kansas City Liberty North four-star EDGE Jayshawn Ross.

Kansas State was not part of Ross’ top five schools in June, but he posted in August that he would be reopening his recruitment.

“I would like to thank all the schools who have been recruiting me,” Ross wrote. “I am both thankful and humbled by their recruitment. With that being said, my family and I would like to announce that I am re-opening my recruitment. I’m looking forward to finding the best place to continue my academic and athletic career.”

Now, the Wildcats are trending to land his commitment, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM). He’s the nation’s No. 325 overall prospect and No. 31 pass rusher in the 2024 cycle. He was also in Manhattan over the weekend on a visit as K-State defeated TCU.