Five things: Why Monterrio Elston was a big get for Kansas State
1.) The first running back of the Kansas State class is three-star prospect Monterrio Elston of Little Rock after he chose the Wildcats on Saturday. For the record, he will probably be the only one since K-State took two a cycle ago in John Price and De Von Rice and quickly followed it up with a transfer in explosive playmaker Dylan Edwards. Assistant Brian Anderson, along with staffer Josh Buford (now at Texas A&M) and offensive coordinator Collin Klein (also now at Texas A&M), picked Elston out of a large crowd early and identified him as the top option and closed. New assistant Matt Wells became very involved, too, after being hired by head coach Chris Klieman.
2.) It was a head-to-head win for Kansas State over Arkansas, which is significant to do over an SEC program for a home-grown kid. Making matters a little easier was the coaching uncertainty in Fayetteville since Sam Pittman is squarely on the hot seat entering the 2024 season. The Razorbacks also lost out on Elston’s teammate Omarion Robinson to Oklahoma. Other Power Five offers for Elston included Missouri and Georgia Tech.
3.) A fun fact is that Elston has been silently committed to K-State since January. He gave his word to the Wildcats on a visit to campus after the season. It stayed quiet without an announcement because he did desire to run out the recruiting process a bit by checking out other places. Because of that insistence, the coaching staff in Manhattan encouraged him not to go public until that part was finished. In the end, he walked away still wanting to play for Klieman and Kansas State.
4.) Like Rice, Monterrio Elston is a home run hitter. Like Edwards, Monterrio Elston is a home run hitter. Brian Anderson will have a room of home run hitters at this point. What’s that mean? It’s players that can score any time they touch the ball. They’re a threat to take it to the house at any moment. I don’t remember a time since I covered the team in 2017 when the K-State backfield has been so explosive. And I haven’t even spoken about Joe Jackson who they also love. Rice is probably a bit more north/south in style than either Elston or Edwards. All three of Rice, Edwards and Elston are a bit diminutive, but that has never been a problem in Manhattan. In fact, that may just be the secret sauce.
5.) Home run hitters can always play early. That’s always been my opinion. If you’re a threat to score, you’ll see the field. The good thing for Kansas State is that they have many of those set to be on the roster in 2024. The more the merrier for star quarterback Avery Johnson. Hopefully they can give him a few nice toys at receiver, too.
The post Five things: Why Monterrio Elston was a big get for Kansas State appeared first on On3.
