Last year, when Bill Snyder was re-hired as Kansas State’s football coach, I wondered to myself if Snyder was the answer. So far, Bill Snyder and his Kansas State football team has surprised me, as well as other doubters. Kansas State was projected to finish near the bottom of the Big XII North, but instead won enough games to play for the Big XII North title, ultimately falling short after a loss at Nebraska.
With Snyder now in his second season on his return to the sideline, Kansas State will certainly know what it takes to make a successful run. Last season, players and to an extent, some coaches, were adapting to Snyder’s demanding coaching style. This year, they know what Snyder expects on a daily basis.
I expect Kansas State to be a run-oriented team for the second straight year with a very experienced offensive line, and All-Big XII running back Daniel Thomas returning to his senior season. It is not yet known who will hand it off to him, but whoever wins the starting quarterback job, will have three promising new wide receivers to throw to.
On defense, Kansas State will welcome back Brandon Harold (injuries/academic issues) and arguably one of the best at safety in the conference, Tysyn Hartman. Like quarterback, linebacker is still a huge question mark, but playing the 4-2-5 defensive scheme will limit their concerns for the linebacker position.
So, with that said, I will break down the 2010 K-State football team with my observations/opinions on every position.
Senior Carson Coffman may have a slight edge to be named starting QB.
Quarterbacks
Kansas State finished spring practices without an announced starting quarterback, but during spring scrimmages, senior Carson Coffman may have edged ahead in the battle to replace Grant Gregory, who spent his only year with the Wildcats as their starting quarterback a season ago. Coffman will have to fend off junior Sammuel Lamur and sophomore Collin Klein, who, both are probably more suited to run the offense that Kansas State wants to run.
However, Coffman has an advantage in experience, but needs to play well against FBS competition and make good decisions in the face of a pass-rush. At 6’5″, Klein has the prototypical body, but spent his freshman season as a wide receiver. Lamur is the most athletic of the bunch, but he is learning the intricacies of the Wildcat offense. One thing is certain, their jobs will be much easier by having an All-Big XII running back behind them.
Running Backs
In the Big XII, running backs don’t come better than Daniel Thomas. The senior is big, tough, and difficult to bring down. Much of his yardage comes after initial contact. Last season, he rushed for a eye-popping 1,265 yards, and 11 TD’s, and that was without any previous experience in the Wildcats offense, and fighting through a nagging shoulder injury. He is now healthy and knows everything about Snyder’s system, but he will also be the focal point of opposing defenses.
Braden Wilson, a reliable fullback/tight end, was also playing the fullback position without any previous experience, and he too, returns. Depth, however, will be a little concern, but adding four-star freshman tailback DeMarcus Robinson is a nice addition.
Brodrick Smith is one of the new WRs in a group that returns with very little experience.
Receivers
Whoever throws passes for Kansas State will have a completely new batch, yet very promising, of wide receivers to target. Gone is the small, but speedy Brandon Banks, Attrail Snipes, and Lamark Brown. Replacing them is a trio of sturdier, more prototypical wideouts.
Lined up wide will be Aubrey Quarles, a senior who is coming back from an injury, and Brodrick Smith, a Minnesota transfer. In the slot, it will be Chris Harper, an Oregon transfer. Behind them, will be promising targets Adrian Hilburn, Tramaine Thompson, Devin Gfeller, Sheldon Smith, and Gage McKinnis.
Together, they compromise a group that has yet to record impressive statistics, but they all have huge upside.
And as far as tight ends go, the one that caught my eye during spring training, that I thought will do some serious damage in the middle will be Andre McDonald. McDonald is a hulking 6’8″, 282 pound red-shirt freshman, and he runs well for a guy his size. He would make a great red-zone target for the Wildcats.
Fun Fact
7. Kansas State was a run-oriented team in 2009, and it showed in the way it scored touchdowns. The Wildcats threw only seven passing touchdowns, a woeful number compared to the 25 they allowed.
What are your thoughts on K-State’s quarterbacks, running backs and receivers? Leave a comment below. Check back tomorrow for a preview of K-State’s offensive and defensive line.
