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College Football:NFL Draft Prospects Who Must Step Up Week 1

By Shawn Spencer

Sep 12, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) celebrates with fans after scoring on a 41-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter against the Idaho Vandals at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) celebrates with fans after scoring on a 41-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter against the Idaho Vandals at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 1, 2014; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats defensive backs Dante Barnett (22) and Dylan Schellenberg (20) break up a pass during the Wildcats
Nov 1, 2014; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats defensive backs Dante Barnett (22) and Dylan Schellenberg (20) break up a pass during the Wildcats /

Dante Barnett (SS – Kansas State) vs. Stanford

After suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in last season’s opener, Dante Barnett is back for his fifth season with Kansas State. The leader of the defense will have his hands full early on as the Wildcats look to tame Christian McCaffrey and the Stanford offense.

While it seems like every year under Bill Snyder the senior leaders of Kansas State were at one time walk-ons, that’s not the case with Barnett. Although he was only a two-star recruit, he excelled as a true freshman in 2012, cracking the starting lineup. He’s been a force in the secondary ever since and was sorely missed last season.

The Kansas State secondary managed a grand total of one interception last season. Barnett has seven in his career and will look to add to that total in his final collegiate season. The injury has thrown up a red flag on his scouting report, but he can ease those concerns with a solid senior season. He could be a late-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Next: Corey Clement

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