What we’re hearing: Notes on Kansas State freshmen in spring ball

KANSAS STATE QUARTERBACK AVERY JOHNSON

Upon returning from New York City and the NCAA Tournament, it was time for KSO to switch gears a bit and divide up the attention that had solely been focused on the hardwood. Not only does Kansas State basketball deserve focus now with the transfer portal, but so does the football team.

After all, they are currently practicing.

I began to ask around and try to acquire information on the first few weeks of spring ball that we missed. Because of a lull at the beginning of it caused by spring break, it was still only about four or five practices that had passed.

Specifically, I did inquire about K-State freshman quarterback Avery Johnson. He’s in the process of bulking up and learning how to deal with the fame of being one of the more popular players on the team to fans though he is probably third-string at best.

First of all, it is no shock that he is a fantastic teammate. The ball is still zipping out of his hands like it always has but he is also noticeably bigger. That much was apparent when we were able to observe the first half hour of practice on Tuessday.

However, one source described his first few months on campus as “killing it”, which is always what one wants to hear about the likely future starting quarterback for Kansas State at some point. Work ethic and commitment is not something that will ever be a concern with him.

LINEMAN CHIDDI OBIAZOR

In terms of who is making the most progress from a physical standpoint, it isn’t Johnson. Though No. 5 has steadily improved in that department as well. It is defensive lineman Chiddi Obiazor. We shared about a month ago that he had already added nearly 30 pounds to his frame.

That is no myth. It was evident when we saw him at practice. And his name was brought up once again by another source as someone that is doing all the right things to ensure that he has a strong future on the football field in Manhattan.

And it probably shouldn’t be a shock since his brother has been playing big-time college football for a few years at TCU and was able to implore to him on what it took and what the expectations would be at a Power Five institution.

K-STATE FRESHMEN RECEIVERS

Three of the four high school signees are already on campus as well and competing and performing in the Spring. That is Andre Davis, Wesley Watson and Jayce Brown. Two that were singled out to me in terms of showing a strong upward trajectory were Davis and Brown.

Remember, Watson is coming off an injury in his last football season of high school.

Davis is a very tall, long and skinny player fresh out of high school that had some maturing to do of course but also needed a drastic physical transformation. He wasn’t out of shape or anything, but he desperately needed weight and strength.

That part of his development has been what has opened the eyes of onlookers the most thus far. They thought it would be more of a deliberate process for him, but he has taken well to the weight room and filled out his frame pretty well in short order.

Wearing No. 23 at his size almost makes him looks similar to Julius Brents in uniform, to be honest.

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