As a senior in football, he passed for over 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns, while leading his team to a 7–4 record and a state playoff appearance.

Bartel was selected as a pitcher by the Cincinnati Reds in the 17th round of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft.

As a redshirt freshman in 2002, he shared the quarterback position with Tate Wallis, appearing in 7 games, while completing 89-of-148 attempts (60.1%), 1,078 yards, 8 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.

Bartel was signed as an undrafted free agent following an invite to participate in the Dallas Cowboys' mini-camp after the 2007 NFL draft.

On September 1, he was waived and later signed to the practice squad, after rookie quarterback Matt Moore was claimed by the Carolina Panthers.

[4] Bartel was signed to the practice squad of the Cleveland Browns on November 26, 2008, after quarterback Brady Quinn was placed on the injured reserve list.

[6] The next year, head coach Jim Zorn was replaced with Mike Shanahan and Bartel was cut on September 4, 2010, after being passed on the depth chart by John Beck.

On December 7, 2010, Bartel was signed by the Arizona Cardinals after Max Hall was placed on the injured reserve list.