Mailbag: Kansas State activity in the transfer portal

1. How deep of a rotation could we see from Jerome Tang and Kansas State?

DY: My expectation is that Kansas State will dig deeper into that rotation on a regular basis. They couldn’t go much further than seven last season. There could be many nights where as many as 10 see meaningful minutes, in my opinion.

2. How important is it to fill the last two spots before the Israel trip?

DY: According to Jerome Tang, it is very important. His goal is to have K-State be a finished product in time for the Israel trip. They were able to be a bit more patient last year in assembling the roster because they had no choice when it came to Desi Sills and there was no foreign trip.

3. Are there any football positions that the staff would like to fill through the transfer portal rather than the high school ranks?

DY: I think it is fair to say that there is, actually. Just look at what Chris Klieman and Kansas State opt to do in the transfer portal nearly every cycle. They have consistently sought a defensive tackle/nose guard and secondary help every year.

4. Is Kansas State having difficulty convincing graduate transfers to come off the bench?

DY: That is not the issue, in my opinion. I think difficulty, if that’s what you want to call it, is directly related to some players choosing to pull the Wildcats into a bidding war. They are unwilling to engage in that kind of behavior.

And for the record, K-State has a heck of a transfer class in general by just adding Tylor Perry and Arthur Kaluma. There are great programs out there that wish they had that kind of success.

5. If the transfer portal continues to give players leverage with NIL, will that eventually hurt Jerome Tang and K-State?

DY: I’m not really in the business of predicting human behavior. What I will say, and what he has proved to be correct on thus far, is that Tang believes he can still build a championship roster without out compromising the culture.

We’re like a month from them adding Kaluma and two months since adding Perry. Suggesting that there is limits to what they can accomplish at Kansas State is not something I’m prepared to say at this point based off what they have already achieved.

6. Will the Wildcats compete for the Big 12 title in basketball? What does that look like?

DY: I totally think so. Not everyone has to agree, but K-State may not have the star power at the top like last season with Markquis Nowell and Keyontae Johnson, but they have more good players that they count on this season.

Tang wanted more than just two guys that can go off on a given night. He has that with Perry, Kaluma and Nae’Qwan Tomlin. He’d love to have another piece that can do the same, but a splash here and there from RJ Jones and leaps from Jerrell Colbert, David N’Guessan and Cam Carter could also be that supplement.

Reaching a spot where they are in contention heading into the final month, like last year, would not be a surprise to me.

7. Will Kansas State hit their target of two very experienced guards with two good players?

DY: Look, it won’t be easy. Most know by now that the pool of talented players available is dwindling or non-existent. Those that come available have great demand because a chunk of teams, including Kansas State, still have spots available.

So, they have to count on more coming available, and I think there will be given the era of college athletics that we are in. But the other component is defeating the rest of the pack that will seek those that enter the portal, too.

That’s a tough combination to hit. But I say it often, I don’t count out Coach Tang because he has a knack of overcoming obstacles and coming through, even in conditions that are unfavorable for him and the Wildcats.

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