Logan Bartley didn’t come to Kansas State looking like a typical freshman safety, and he hasn’t played like one either. The 6-2, 213-pound sophomore from Naples, Florida stepped into the Wildcats’ defensive backfield in 2025 and carved out a real role without taking a redshirt, appearing in all 12 games and working his way into the regular rotation.
Bartley logged 154 defensive snaps and another 72 on special teams, finishing with 21 tackles, a half tackle for loss and a pass breakup. His busiest outings came against Army and UCF, when he posted a career-high five tackles in each game. He also had two tackles apiece against Iowa State, Baylor, Oklahoma State and Utah, added half a tackle for loss against Army and broke up a pass against Utah.
Kansas State’s new head coach, Collin Klein, said the safety picture remains wide open as fall camp begins.
“I think those two safety spots, it will be interesting to see how it shakes out because it is very competitive between Ja’Son (Prevard), Logan Bartley, Wesley Fair, Adrian Maddox, even Koy Beasley a little bit. The combination of that and how that all fits together, it’s good to have those options.
I think we have an idea of where it’s headed, but credit them. They’re getting better and competing with each other well.”
Bartley enters that competition after arriving on campus in time for spring practices and picking up the system quickly. He is currently battling Wesley Fair for the starting strong safety job, and the younger player could wind up taking the bulk of the snaps this fall.
Before he got to Manhattan, Bartley built a reputation as a playmaker at First Baptist Academy in Naples under head coach Billy Sparacio. 247Sports ranked him the 44th-best safety in the Class of 2025, and he earned all-state honors as a sophomore in 2022 before collecting all-area recognition in each of his final three prep seasons.
His high school production was loaded: 238 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, five sacks, four interceptions, 32 passes defended, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and eight total blocked kicks. He also helped First Baptist win the 2022 Florida Class 2A State Championship, with the Lions taking regional and district titles in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Bartley signed with Kansas State over offers from Boston College, Eastern Kentucky, Illinois, Ole Miss and Wake Forest, from which he had previously decommitted, while Clemson and Kentucky also showed strong interest. He was recruited by former position coach and defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman, who made his confidence in the young safety clear last year.
“Logan Bartley as a true freshman will play this year. He is different.
He’s a unique talent. His maturity level and how he’s picking things up right now is absolutely incredible.
I don’t know if I’ve seen it that good from a guy that young, granted he was here in the spring, but he’ll play.”
Klanderman also pointed to Bartley’s appetite for contact and his ability to seize the moment.
“He’s going to be behind schematically, but what you evaluate is hunger, how he learns, and how he bites. He has impressed us as a biter - he plays really hard, he doesn’t shy away from contact, and when the moment gets on him, he’s ready to seize the opportunity and go get it. Over and over again, he’s proven that.”
After Bartley’s first appearance in Ireland, Chris Klieman offered a similar read on what the safety could become.
“Logan is just getting his feet wet and he’s going to play more and more. He’s a special, special talent and for a freshman, is mature beyond his years.
The game isn’t too big for him. I can’t wait to see that kid as he plays more and more.”
New position coach Jeremiah Johnson has seen that same growth, noting Bartley is already beginning to take on more responsibility.
“Logan Bartley is starting to take a leadership role. I challenge him a little bit.
After the second or third time we were out there, I said to him, “You can do this.” He’s a younger kid, but he’s been in the program, so he’s started to lead a little bit.”
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Kansas State Still Has A Few Big Week 1 Questions Up Front
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There were also a few familiar absences to note, with backup quarterback Dillon Duff, defensive back Donovan McIntosh and running back LJ McGhee all sidelined by injuries. Tight end Garrett Oakley was named a team captain, a sign of the trust he has built inside the program, while the questions up front remain the most relevant ones for Kansas State as it gets closer to first kickoff. How quickly the line settles in could shape a lot of what the Wildcats are able to do when the games start counting. [Read more 🡒]