Musings: Kansas State spring football and transfer portal notes

SURE BETS

1. TRANSFER GUARDS: The timing is the hardest to predict, but it is clear that Kansas State is intent on landing at least a couple of guards in the transfer portal. Jerome Tang and the Wildcats have pinpointed Aaron Estrada of Hofstra and Oral Roberts senior Max Abmas as main targets in the backcourt, but don’t sleep on North Texas’ Tylor Perry, either.

2. SECOND ROUND PICK: It would shock me if K-State didn’t have a second round pick in the NFL Draft in a few weeks. Both Julius Brents and Felix Anudike-Uzomah have impressed in the pre-draft process and are trending in that direction.

3. COMPETITIVE NATURE: As most saw, Kansas State wasn’t too pleased that they were used on a list for a prospect that they were not associated with when Tramon Mark committed to Houston. That goes back to the competitive nature of the staff. K-State hates to lose and doesn’t want to lose. Kansas State wants to win at everything, and that includes on the recruiting trail. They aren’t going to take losses for everyone to see when it isn’t deserved.

SURPRISES

1. DEFENSIVE FRONT: One thing we have learned when it comes to K-State spring ball this year is that the defensive coaching staff is much more bullish than expected on the defensive front. Yes, they have lost Anudike-Uzomah and Eli Huggins, but they are excited about the return of Khalid Duke to the front to pair with the other defensive ends. Additionally, they have been thoroughly impressed by the trio of Damian Ilalio, Uso Seumalo and Jevon Banks.

2. COLBY: To his benefit it appears, Kansas State has moved Colby McCalister to safety after a year of cornerback. In fact, just because of the losses and a few of the injuries that have leaked into the Spring, he is one of the starters in the back end that is taking many reps with the first unit. I can’t say I saw that coming.

3. REACTION: I have to admit that I was a bit perplexed by some of the fan reaction to K-State losing both Mark and LJ Cryer. That is probably why the Wildcat coaches are not keen on being used by prospects. They know their fans will jump them even if they miss on one guy. Plenty of other targets remain that they are enamored with, including guards Max Abmas and Aaron Estrada. And as we already shared, they were not even that involved with Mark.

JURY STILL OUT

1. TRANSFER BIG: At the moment, it doesn’t seem like much traction has been made on a transfer big. Kansas State has stated that it is one of the spots they hope to fill with the transfer portal. Kel’El Ware committed to Indiana. The Wildcats are seemingly connected to Kadin Shedrick but are joined by Duke, Texas, Missouri and Xavier.

2. COACHING CONTRACTS: By this point, I would have anticipated that Gene Taylor would have had the new football coaching contracts announced. Instead, it is April 11 and nothing has been released. My inclination is to believe that Kansas State has much of it completed and has for some time. A bit of the language is likely still being ironed out by the two sides. However, we know that K-State has to commit more money to the staff that just won the Big 12 championship. We also believed they turned down other overtures. At the very least, Collin Klein declined an offer from Notre Dame and Nebraska certainly was at the front door of Chris Klieman before hiring Matt Rhule. Not to mention that Tang and company just reeled off a season that will command more compensation as well.

3. FOOTBALL VISITORS: To be honest, it is hard to balance all of the football and basketball recruiting news in my head at the same time. While Kansas State is mining the transfer portal to fill out the rest of the roster for Jerome Tang, they just hosted a bevy of football visitors as well. K-State has positioned themselves well for many of their top targets even if it is going under the radar.

HAS MY ATTENTION

1. VISITS: We’re hearing that we should keep our eyes peeled this week for Kansas State scheduling visits with some of their prime targets in the transfer portal. That will be the next step in the process.

2. APRIL 23: Although Tang revealed that Nae’Qwan Tomlin will declare for the NBA Draft so that he can receive the necessary feedback, he has yet to do so. With that being said, the deadline isn’t until April 23. We are still under the notion that he has every intention of returning to K-State.

3. AVERY: How about the buzz that Kansas State true freshman quarterback Avery Johnson is already gleaning? Though Klein elected to remain a bit more subdued about his progress, he still complimented him and his work. Defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman was a bit flabbergasted and speechless about what he has seen from him thus far, calling him special and a streak of lightning. Even the basketball coaches were blown away when they stopped by to watch a practice. K-State staffer Kevin Sutton raved about him on Twitter.

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