Kansas State defensive players praised the most in week two of camp
After speaking with Kansas State offensive and defensive assistants, watching part of another practice and checking in with a few sources, KSO spotlights a group of defensive players that received the most praise after the second week of training camp.
Kansas State NG Uso Seumalo
Though he is unavailable at the moment, the only players in contention for being lauded as much and/or has powerful as Kansas State nose guard Uso Seumalo are cornerback Will Lee and receiver Keagan Johnson.
K-State offensive coordinator Collin Klein called him a machine. Others continue to insist how unfair it is that he is so quick for being that big. Seumalo has truly been a disruptor, and the compliments for him even behind the scenes have been just as consistent.
DE Brendan Mott
The praise for Brendan Mott has come from his defensive coaches. They just respect the way that he goes about his work, including head coach Chris Klieman. Kansas State is lucky to have him, especially for what he did last season while Nate Matlack was on the shelf.
As Buddy Wyatt eloquently shared, everything that he has accomplished and reached in his career in Manhattan has been 100 percent earned. He’s ascended from walk-on status because of hard work and determination.
Jake Clifton/Kansas State Athletics
LB Jake Clifton
We discussed the linebackers with K-State assistant Steve Stanard and the adjectives that he continues to use to describe Jake Clifton are impressive. He’s never had a player so intelligent at such an early stage in their career.
Not only is Clifton instinctive and have a high football IQ, but his processing is quick and he is a ‘jack of all trades’ in that he is already up to speed at all three different linebacker spots.
K-State LB Desmond Purnell
Interestingly enough, the most powerful words of affirmation for Kansas State linebacker Desmond Purnell have come when we asked about Tobi Osunsanmi. While Osunsanmi is an athletic freak and can really rush the passer, he’s not on Purnell’s level at the ‘Sam’ linebacker spot because of understanding.
The comfort within the defensive scheme and ability to read different offensive looks is so advanced by Purnell that he is able to play much faster on the field than Osunsanmi. Because he’s so far ahead mentally, he just has to think about his responsibilities and duties much less.
CB Jacob Parrish
Clearly, Jacob Parrish is in line to be a starter on the perimeter for the K-State defense. They may not want to come out and say it just yet, but the words from Klieman and assistant Van Malone make it pretty obvious.
His consistent approach, mature demeanor, hard work, athleticism and speed have him up with the ones. There is a reason he didn’t redshirt a year ago, and he has continued that momentum throughout the Spring and now in training camp.
Parrish commands a lot of respect from the locker room and the Kansas State coaching staff.
Will Lee/Kansas State Athletics
Kansas State CB Will Lee
If there is a player ahead of Parrish at cornerback, it is Will Lee. He may have arrived in Manhattan a little later than planned, but his comfort level has risen and that has impacted the views of everyone that watches K-State practice.
The second week of training camp saw Lee receive as much praise as Seumalo. He always had the gifts to be one of the best players on the team, and it is quickly flowing to the surface now that he has caught up mentally.
Malone even compared him to Julius Brents. And Lee was one of two player singled out as a pain to deal with by offensive coordinator Collin Klein.
S Marques Sigle
When Malone compared transfer addition Marques Sigle to past Kansas State players like Russ Yeast and Josh Hayes, it was not the first time it had been done. In fact, Klieman shared the same sentiment when speaking to the 3MAW Podcast at Big 12 Media Days in Arlington.
Sigle has drawn rave reviews from anyone that is asked about him.
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