D
Derek Young
Guest
1) I'll speak for @Grant Flanders on the first item, in which he is a believer that Kansas State sits in a comfortable spot for Wake Forest stretch four transfer Ismael Massoud. Not a lock. Not done. But there's some confidence on this front and would fill their 13th scholarship spot instead of leaving it vacant. Because of Mike McGuirl not counting against the number, they'd technically have 14. We're not hearing of anything else that is substantially in the works right now.
2) It is time to dig into some of the spring football buzz before tackling some football recruiting news and notes. I'll probably go position by position in terms of what I'm hearing and try to keep it simple and easy to read. At quarterback, Skylar Thompson isn't 100 percent, but he is ahead of schedule and there are zero lingering concerns. Some sources I've spoken to view Will Howard as the most improved player on the entire roster since last season ended. Jaren Lewis is seen as having the most arm talent but still a little too wildly inconsistent. Jake Rubley has flashed his potential and talent but he's swimming upstream still in terms of understanding and the speed of the game.
3) I think people just know what to expect from Deuce Vaughn and that's why we don't hear much about him. I have had legitimate conversations with the right people to believe Jacardia Wright is headed in the right direction, but we'll see what that means in the way of playing time. Being the most ready power back should help. Joe Ervin seems to be the real deal. They've seen good things from Keyon Mozee but I'm not sure he's ever going to be a high-volume player.
4) I'm hearing that Daniel Imatorbhebhe is a flat out stud in the passing game. Much more than Briley Moore. That is not a knock on Briley, but more of an endorsement for Imatorbhebhe. I think they want him to round out his game more but he's a weapon in the passing game and has blown away any and all expectations in that regard. No real other chatter amongst the tight ends at the moment. In the receiver room, Malik Knowles stayed healthy and that's the biggest thing. There doesn't seem to be any worry about Chabastin Taylor's availability. I think he's on pace to start versus Stanford. I have also been told the hype and excitement on Keenan Garber has been legitimate and not necessarily hyperbolic.
5) Conor Riley has the offensive line in good shape. I think the starters or the ones throughout the Spring from left to right were Cooper Beebe, Josh Rivas, Noah Johnson, Ben Adler and Christian Duffie. Beebe and Duffie probably had the best Springs. I'm not of the belief that we see Carver Willis and Witt Mitchum ready enough to start day one this season. However, Taylor Poitier could steal a job away on the interior. He just wasn't available this Spring.
6) While I'm still a bit in the "I want to see it first" before I commit to fully believing in it, there is a real belief that Timmy Horne could be a monster on the interior for the Wildcats. In terms of someone able to command a double team and then absorb it well and tie them up to free up the rest of the defensive line, he's been irrefutably effective in that regard. Not a ton of other chatter exists along the defensive line, other than their depth having really been bolstered.
7) Linebackers are not nearly as much of a concern from those within the program as fans. Reading in between the lines and communicating with those that have seen practice, I think the play of Daniel Green and Wayne Jones has made them feel more comfortable. The secondary is what they are most worried about, and I think they'll work to address that through the transfer portal before fall camp. TJ Smith's health is going to be a big factor as well.
8) Recruiting-wise I touched on it in Friday's recruiting notebook, there will be more camps and 7v7 tournaments in the next few months than what we saw a year ago and that will consist of content, of course. A 7v7 tournament in Kansas City that stars some of the top talent in the metro begins today and finishes up tomorrow. I will go to the session tomorrow (wanted to go today but wanted to give myself one more day off my feet because of covid shot). Mudia Reuben will be on hand, for example. We'll have coverage of that on Sunday.
9) Although there will be events, I don't think there will be substantial news until June. K-State will hold camps in June, too, on top of hosting official visitors. It will be a jam-packed month.
10) Finally, I'll just share a few names that I feel good about being Wildcats at this moment.
TE Gracen Bell
DB Kaleb Purdy
OL Nick Herzog
Those are the three I feel best about. I think it is more of a 50/50 proposition when it comes to Jaren Kanak, Carson Willich, Gavin Meyers, Hunter Deyo, Kaden Weatherby and Reuben.
2) It is time to dig into some of the spring football buzz before tackling some football recruiting news and notes. I'll probably go position by position in terms of what I'm hearing and try to keep it simple and easy to read. At quarterback, Skylar Thompson isn't 100 percent, but he is ahead of schedule and there are zero lingering concerns. Some sources I've spoken to view Will Howard as the most improved player on the entire roster since last season ended. Jaren Lewis is seen as having the most arm talent but still a little too wildly inconsistent. Jake Rubley has flashed his potential and talent but he's swimming upstream still in terms of understanding and the speed of the game.
3) I think people just know what to expect from Deuce Vaughn and that's why we don't hear much about him. I have had legitimate conversations with the right people to believe Jacardia Wright is headed in the right direction, but we'll see what that means in the way of playing time. Being the most ready power back should help. Joe Ervin seems to be the real deal. They've seen good things from Keyon Mozee but I'm not sure he's ever going to be a high-volume player.
4) I'm hearing that Daniel Imatorbhebhe is a flat out stud in the passing game. Much more than Briley Moore. That is not a knock on Briley, but more of an endorsement for Imatorbhebhe. I think they want him to round out his game more but he's a weapon in the passing game and has blown away any and all expectations in that regard. No real other chatter amongst the tight ends at the moment. In the receiver room, Malik Knowles stayed healthy and that's the biggest thing. There doesn't seem to be any worry about Chabastin Taylor's availability. I think he's on pace to start versus Stanford. I have also been told the hype and excitement on Keenan Garber has been legitimate and not necessarily hyperbolic.
5) Conor Riley has the offensive line in good shape. I think the starters or the ones throughout the Spring from left to right were Cooper Beebe, Josh Rivas, Noah Johnson, Ben Adler and Christian Duffie. Beebe and Duffie probably had the best Springs. I'm not of the belief that we see Carver Willis and Witt Mitchum ready enough to start day one this season. However, Taylor Poitier could steal a job away on the interior. He just wasn't available this Spring.
6) While I'm still a bit in the "I want to see it first" before I commit to fully believing in it, there is a real belief that Timmy Horne could be a monster on the interior for the Wildcats. In terms of someone able to command a double team and then absorb it well and tie them up to free up the rest of the defensive line, he's been irrefutably effective in that regard. Not a ton of other chatter exists along the defensive line, other than their depth having really been bolstered.
7) Linebackers are not nearly as much of a concern from those within the program as fans. Reading in between the lines and communicating with those that have seen practice, I think the play of Daniel Green and Wayne Jones has made them feel more comfortable. The secondary is what they are most worried about, and I think they'll work to address that through the transfer portal before fall camp. TJ Smith's health is going to be a big factor as well.
8) Recruiting-wise I touched on it in Friday's recruiting notebook, there will be more camps and 7v7 tournaments in the next few months than what we saw a year ago and that will consist of content, of course. A 7v7 tournament in Kansas City that stars some of the top talent in the metro begins today and finishes up tomorrow. I will go to the session tomorrow (wanted to go today but wanted to give myself one more day off my feet because of covid shot). Mudia Reuben will be on hand, for example. We'll have coverage of that on Sunday.
9) Although there will be events, I don't think there will be substantial news until June. K-State will hold camps in June, too, on top of hosting official visitors. It will be a jam-packed month.
10) Finally, I'll just share a few names that I feel good about being Wildcats at this moment.
TE Gracen Bell
DB Kaleb Purdy
OL Nick Herzog
Those are the three I feel best about. I think it is more of a 50/50 proposition when it comes to Jaren Kanak, Carson Willich, Gavin Meyers, Hunter Deyo, Kaden Weatherby and Reuben.
