Kansas State position battle: Who gets the nod at running back?

Kansas State contenders

DJ Giddens: For a guy that was just a redshirt freshman a year ago, barely playing because of the weapon that was Deuce Vaughn, the Kansas State back still found his way to over 500 yards on the ground. That’s impressive.

Treshaun Ward: Not wanting to rely on only Giddens and true freshman Joe Jackson, K-State sought to address the position in the transfer portal and came away with perhaps the best one available in the Florida State Seminole.

Analysis

At the risk of being extremely cliche, Giddens and Ward provide a bit of the famed “thunder and lightning” element that we have seen often from backfields in the last decade. Of course in this example, Giddens is the thunder and Ward is the lightning.

The game has pivoted away from one premiere back to one that resembles more of a committee.

Kansas State was the exception to that in many ways when Vaughn was in Manhattan. He was just too good to take off the field. He was dynamic with the ball in his hands, both as a carrier and a receiving threat, and that made him lethal as a bit of a decoy as well.

The answer to his departure will be to address his loss with multiple players. I envision it looking more like a committee again for K-State. That was the case in year one under Chris Klieman and Brian Anderson when the Wildcats had both James Gilbert and Jordon Brown.

Prediction

I’m not sure there’s a tougher position for Kansas State to project than the running back spot. The third receiver is in contention, as well as the right tackle until Christian Duffie is healthy. There is a bit of a question mark as to the second cornerback or third safety, too.

However, the battle between Ward and Giddens is tight. Who logs the first carry or touch is probably not all that important or significant, anyways, considering that the usage and quantity of opportunities will be pretty similar between the two.

My guess will be Ward for now, but I have the suspicion that it will fluctuate throughout the season. I foresee a true split between the two. However, Ward could often be seen more early in the game because Giddens’ physicality could make him the ideal closer.

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