Kansas State football roster and recruiting center
KSO examines the Kansas State scholarship count and roster, position by position, as the 2023 season approaches closer and closer.
KEY
S-Sr. = Super senior
Sr. = Senior
Jr. = Junior
So. = Sophomore
R-Fr. = Redshirt freshman
T-Fr. = True freshman
* (Asterisk) = Redshirt is still available
Special note: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, any redshirt sophomore or older was given a free year of eligibility.
QUARTERBACK (4 on scholarship)
S-Sr. –
Sr. – Will Howard*
Jr. –
So. – Jake Rubley
R-Fr. – Adryan Lara
T-Fr. – Avery Johnson*
SUMMARY: Zero questions exist about the talent in the Kansas State quarterback room or who is the starting quarterback. It’s Howard’s show, and we’re just living in it. An intriguing topic will be how many snaps we see from Johnson.
DJ Giddens/Kansas State Athletics
RUNNING BACK (4 on scholarship)
S-Sr. –
Sr. – Treshaun Ward
Jr. –
So. – Anthony Frias, DJ Giddens
R-Fr. –
T-Fr – Joe Jackson*
SUMMARY: The battle for the first snaps should be an intense one between Ward and Giddens. Both are starter quality. We envision the K-State pair to split snaps for the most part, and I’m sure there’s plenty of packages where they are both on the field, too.
WIDE RECEIVER (11 on scholarship)
S-Sr. – Phillip Brooks, Seth Porter
Sr. – Jadon Jackson
Jr. –
So. – RJ Garcia, Keagan Johnson
R-Fr. – Sterling Lockett, Tyson Struber
T-Fr. – Tre Spivey*, Andre Davis*, Wesley Watson*, Jayce Brown*
SUMMARY: Offensively, the receiver position likely has the most to prove. I believe everyone knows what to expect or is excited about the Kansas State quarterback, the backfield, the tight end spot and the offensive line. Johnson should provide a boost, but they’ll need more than him.
TIGHT END (7 on scholarship)
S-Sr. –
Sr. –
Jr. – Christian Moore, Ben Sinnott*, Will Swanson
So. –
R-Fr. – Brayden Loftin, Garrett Oakley
T-Fr. – Will Anciaux*, Andrew Metzger*
SUMMARY: Sinnott was the breakout player of the season a year ago for the Wildcats. Because of him, one could safely say that K-State is among the best in the conference at the spot. Can they grab a little more production from elsewhere?
Ben Sinnott/Getty
OFFENSIVE LINE (14 on scholarship)
S-Sr. – Christian Duffie (OT), Hayden Gillum (C), KT Leveston (OT)
Sr. – Cooper Beebe (OG/OT), Taylor Poitier (OG/C)
Jr. – Hadley Panzer* (OG/C), Carver Willis (OT)
So. – Andrew Leingang (OT/OG), Sam Shields (OG/C)
R-Fr. – Drake Bequaeith (OG/OT), John Pastore (OT)
T-Fr. – Camden Beebe* (OG), Jackson Fullmer* (OG), Devin Vass* (OT)
SUMMARY: Having the entire starting offensive line from a year ago, plus Taylor Poitier, return is huge for Kansas State. Offensive line experts always speak to experience, cohesion and consistency when it comes to the position. Nobody has more of that than the Wildcats.
NOSE GUARD (4 on scholarship)
S-Sr. –
Sr. – Uso Seumalo*
Jr. – Jevon Banks
So. – Damian Ilalio
R-Fr. –
T-Fr. – Asher Tomaszewski*
SUMMARY: It sounds like Seumalo is a breakout candidate this season. A lot of folks around the K-State program have a lot of faith in what he can do on the field. However, the most important factor may be how much guys like Banks and Ilalio can contribute.
DEFENSIVE END (8 on scholarship)
S-Sr. –
Sr. – Brendan Mott, Khalid Duke
Jr. – Nate Matlack*
So. – Cody Stufflebean
R-Fr. – Donovan Rieman
T-Fr. – Jordan Allen*, Chiddi Obiazor*, Ryan Davis*
SUMMARY: How much will Kansas State miss Felix Anudike-Uzomah? It’s a fair question, and the pass rush will be tested because of it. That is why the Wildcats moved Khalid Duke to the spot, but having Matlack return to form would also be massive.
Nate Matlack/Getty
LINEBACKER (10 on scholarship)
S-Sr. – Daniel Green (Mike)
Sr. – Austin Moore (Will)
Jr. – Terry Kirksey (Mike)
So. – Jake Clifton* (Mike/Will/Sam) Desmond Purnell (Sam) Rex Van Wyhe* (Sam/Will)
R-Fr. – Tobi Osunsanmi (Will/Sam)
T-Fr. – Collin Dunn* (Sam), Asa Newsom* (Will/Sam), Austin Romaine* (Mike)
SUMMARY: A few of the linebackers, like Clifton and Osunsanmi, could be moved around quite a bit on the defensive side of the ball just to find them more playing time. Much of the upside and potential of the room resides in the younger classes.
CORNERBACK (9 on scholarship)
S-Sr. –
Sr. – Keenan Garber
Jr. – Justice James, Jordan Wright, Tyler Nelome
So. – Darell Jones, Jacob Parrish* Will Lee
R-Fr. –
T-Fr. – Donovan McIntosh*, Kanijal Thomas*
SUMMARY: Most see Parrish as a definite starter. Who will pair with him? K-State also wants to count on Wright and Garber. Two newer but older additions are Nelome and Lee as well. The talent ins the room is undeniable, but how quickly will they get up to speed?
Jacob Parrish, VJ Payne, Sterling Lockett and Colby McCalister/Kansas State Athletics
SAFETY (10 on scholarship)
S-Sr. –
Sr. – Kobe Savage
Jr. – Nickendre Stiger, Marques Sigle
So. – VJ Payne* Daniel Cobbs
R-Fr. –Jordan Perry, Colby McCalister
T-Fr. – Jack Fabris*, Wesley Fair*, Kameron Sallis*
SUMMARY: Just like this time last year, the safety spot is the biggest unknown for the Kansas State defense. It worked out a year ago, but can they duplicate that. Everything sounds good in regards to Savage’s recovery, and that is no small thing.
SPECIALISTS (1 on scholarship)
S-Sr. – Randen Plattner
Sr. –
Jr. –
So. –
R-Fr. –
T-Fr. –
SUMMARY: Because of the loss of Ty Zentner, K-State will sport a new kicker and punter for the 2023 season. How reliable will those facets be on special teams? Time will tell, but it would go a long way if Chris Tennant figured it out this year.
Total: 82/85
Note: K-State could have all 85 scholarships allocated, or it could have another one or two allocated above the known number of 82. It isn’t 100 percent verified.
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