Three key Kansas State defensive players

We have already picked three key offensive players for Kansas State this season, not including starting quarterback Avery Johnson. We don’t need to eliminate anyone on the defensive side of the ball to make it a productive discussion.

Kansas State defensive tackle Damian Ilalio

Why am I picking Kansas State defensive tackle Damian Ilalio out of the gate? I thought Uso Seumalo was just okay last year. I don’t know if he has a completely high upside as discussed at one point where he can take over and dominate a game. Also, he’s not often been healthy, which has hampered him as well.

Do I think Ilalio has an enormous ceiling of potential? Probably not, just because of some physical limitations like size and length. However, he’s gotten to the point where he’s big enough now and has that savvy craftiness to him in order to be effective that we also saw from Eli Huggins.

Ilalio just knows how to play football, and one of my bold predictions throughout the offseason has been that he’s the best nose guard for K-State before the season is complete. And make no mistake about it, that’s a good thing for the Wildcats if it comes to fruition.

Linebacker Alec Marenco

I’m going to steer clear of the Kansas State defensive line the rest of the way. The pass rush is vital this season and lacked a bit last year, but I just think they have enough solid to really good players on the edge this year for it to not be a concern.

But where they can make a difference is getting right at middle linebacker. They weren’t last year once Daniel Green went down with an injury. They were forced into playing guys that just weren’t ready for that kind of workload.

Those game guys, Beau Palmer and Austin Romaine, are still around. But they’re perfect to be the reserves at this point. Romaine is going to be a very good player for K-State at some point, but they are a better team with him not having to be that guy yet.

That’s where Alec Marenco comes in, and if the New Mexico transfer can be at least solid, I like the pieces at linebacker. And that turns the Kansas State defense from one with a lot of experience and just a solid unit to perhaps one of the better ones in the entire Big 12.

Cornerback Jacob Parrish

One element of the defense that is still a bit of a question mark is the depth and length at cornerback. Parrish is longer than his height would indicate, but his size was manipulated a bit in the past. His technique and speed should continue to help him fight against that.

All of his other traits have the potential to make him an outstanding cornerback and one of the best in the league. He now has a lot of snaps and games under his belt to make the next big step in his career trajectory.

If that happens, it helps out the K-State defense on an immense level as others like Donovan McIntosh and Kanijal Thomas continue to learn and develop behind him. There’s enough bodies at safety, but I’m not sure just yet at cornerback. The starters are important, and Parrish can be fantastic.

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