Musings: An assessment of the Kansas State basketball and football offseasons
SURE BETS
1. PERRY: There is no doubt that North Texas transfer guard Tylor Perry will commit to Kansas State on Tuesday. The Wildcats will be the winners over the likes of Texas Tech, Florida, Arkansas, Alabama and Ole Miss.
2. 2024 DRAFT: While K-State made a large splash in the 2023 NFL Draft via a first rounder, second rounder and two sixth rounders, the possibility exists that Chris Klieman and company could have just as much or more of a presence in the 2024 NFL Draft.
3. NGONGBA: As the latest social media push indicates, Virginia-based big Patrick Ngongba is the main target remaining on the 2024 recruiting board for Jerome Tang and Kansas State. The Wildcats are joined by the likes of Notre Dame, Syracuse, Providence and Virginia in the charge for him, and he has already taken an official visit to K-State.
SURPRISES
1. DEUCE: I was not surprised that Deuce Vaughn was drafted. I was surprised that the Kansas State running back had to wait as long as he did and nearly be a seventh round pick.
2. QUIET: Although they have become known for operating in the shadows a bit when it comes to recruiting, especially in the transfer portal, I’m surprised that we have not heard more about K-State and other transfer portal targets. The only obvious link on the surface at the moment is with Perry.
3. NO SURPRISES: KSO was not shocked that three Kansas State players entered the transfer portal. We were not even stunned that it was Jalen Klemm, Omar Daniels and Gavin Forsha. We were more surprised that there were no surprises. The three exits are a direct result of depth chart implications.
JURY STILL OUT
1. SECONDARY: The cornerback position has ironed itself out a bit, as indicated by the transfer of Daniels. That means some separation occurred during the Spring. Perhaps a bit more depth is needed, but it is clear that moves were made in March and April. What does that spot look like for K-State in September? Who else is added to the room, if any? We can expect reinforcements at the safety spot, though, where more questions lie.
2. RODNEY TERRY: Can Texas head coach Rodney Terry hack it? His first month as the permanent boss in Austin has been an adventurous one. He’s lost two five-star 2023 commits, Dillon Mitchell may not return and Arterio Morris has transferred to Kansas. It hasn’t been ideal for the Longhorns.
3. KEYONTAE: Does Keyontae Johnson give it one more season in Manhattan. Do not rule out the possibility after the Kansas State star announced his intention to enter the NBA Draft pool while also maintaining his college eligibility.
HAS MY ATTENTION
1. HOLLAND: It was reported by Jon Rothstein of CBS that K-State was involved for Texas five-star de-commit Ron Holland of Duncanville, Texas. He is one of the best players in the 2023 class that will either play college basketball this upcoming season or enter the G-League. I’m engaged in the remainder of his recruitment and remain unclear of the chances for Tang and Kansas State.
2. 2025: I realize that K-State is already landing big names on the basketball recruiting front, but the biggest legitimate swings may be taken in the 2025 recruiting cycle.
3. BIG 12 TIPOFF: An idea to have Big 12 teams face each other at the beginning of the basketball slate is being tossed around in league offices. It would take place at a neutral site and teams that do not play each other twice during the conference season would face one another in November or December, for example. That is likely another example of the creative and novel mind of new commissioner Brett Yormark.
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