Kansas State Spring Football Review: Offensive players generating praise

KANSAS STATE QB WILL HOWARD

It is always a great sign when the returning starting quarterback is still turning heads. That was absolutely the case this Spring for Kansas State signal-caller Will Howard. Multiple players and coaches repeatedly share that he had taken his game to the next level.

Just from my vantage point, it has become abundantly clear that he has embraced his new leadership role, is tremendously more comfortable in his own skin and has taken full ownership of the offense. Many of the K-State staffers refer to his command and control when heaping compliments on to him.

QB AVERY JOHNSON

In terms of just playmaking ability, I’m not sure there was a Kansas State player more raved about than true freshman quarterback Avery Johnson. We know he has a tremendous arm, and he will have a steep learning curve and a lot of room to grow, but his speed and athleticism was on full display in March and April.

RB TRESHAUN WARD

Though he was limited for much of the Spring, new K-State transfer running back Treshaun Ward will be a weapon in the backfield for the Wildcats this season. The strongest praise came from offensive coordinator Collin Klein who remarked about his tremendous short area quickness.

K-STATE RB DJ GIDDENS

The player included on this list that should deliver the strongest message to everyone is Junction City native DJ Giddens. He has yet to start a game in his Kansas State career and was not a participant in spring ball.

However, the buzz on him is so noteworthy that he still deserves to be included. Some have indicated that he could be in contention to even start.

WR KEAGAN JOHNSON

My bold prediction would be that Keagan Johnson is the most impactful transfer that takes the field for K-State this upcoming season. Klein and even the fellow receivers can’t say enough good things about him and his route running and ability to separate has been lauded the most.

OL TAYLOR POITIER

Everyone wants the best for Kansas State offensive lineman Taylor Poitier. He is immensely talented, but he has had the worst luck of anyone after two severe knee injuries. However, he is much further along now than he was at the same time last year.

Because of how great of a guy and how hard of a worker he is, he deserves it more than anyone. But he has opened eyes in the offseason and continues to be a player that his K-State teammates and coaches swear is All-Big 12 caliber.

KANSAS STATE OL ANDREW LEINGANG

If I were to pick an offensive lineman to start that didn’t for Kansas State a year ago, Andrew Leingang would be my pick. Honestly, it probably isn’t close, either. He is a young player that everyone mentions when asked about someone making a charge and a move up the chart.

That was the case a year ago, too. Don’t forget about that. If not for a health setback during fall camp and again during the first half of the year, it is not out of the question that the North Dakota native would have played much more in 2022.

OL JOHN PASTORE

He is basically the Leingang of his class. While those in the K-State program have no problem talking up fellow offensive tackles Drake Bequaeith and Jalen Klemm, it is apparent that John Pastore is the one with the most smoke and promise at this point.

Can he push for playing time in Manhattan this season? Nobody is ruling it out.

The post Kansas State Spring Football Review: Offensive players generating praise appeared first on On3.