These are some prospects I’m keeping an eye on as we hit the start of the 2019 football season, prospects that could potentially be of interest to the Cats but currently don’t hold Kansas State offers. Some prospects may never receive P5 offers, others already do. Just simply a collection of a few prospects I've looked into that with time and coaching, perhaps there is something there.
Jalen Travis, Offensive Tackle, Minneapolis MN (6-7/280)... Played left tackle, appears to have good feet and plays with some power. Appears to maintain technique and discipline when moving and will finish blocks with nastiness. Shows multiple Big Ten offers so could be difficult to land. Klieman and staff have had success in Minnesota and Travis appears to have the potential to help address a still major position of need.
Zach Perkins, Offensive Tackle, Clearwater FL (6-4/315) ...Same high school as current freshman receiver Joshua Youngblood and linebacker recruit Jaylen Harrell, which couldn’t hurt either Perkins or Harrell’s recruitment. Not likely a left tackle but a powerful player could play right tackle or perhaps even slide inside. Big and strong player, his size and foot speed likely limits his ability to play on the left side. Has offers from multiple SunBelt and C-USA schools.
Armaj Adams, Offensive Tackle, Desoto TX (6-5/330) ..Played left tackle as a junior is a big prospect with some power and good hustle. Needs work on technique as he can rely on size, causing him at times to bend and lean. Is to heavy and with a lower weight could move and likely maintain better technique. However, has multiple years experience playing left tackle and you can’t coach size.
Jacob Gardner, Offensive Tackle, Rancho Cucamonga CA (6-5/285) Currently committed to Nevada, he’s played left tackle and appears to be a good mix of athleticism and technique. Has offers from mountain west schools currently. Perhaps the opportunity for immediate playing time could entice him to give the Cats a look.
Adam Karas, Offensive Tackle, Pamona CO (6-5/272) Currently committed to Air Force, has the size and length the new Cats staff prefers at the position. Also displays an ability to play with both power and technique as a left tackle junior in high school. Can get out in the open field a bit as a blocker and also displays a level of finishing in the run game.
Andrew Rumary, Offensive Tackle, Surprise AZ (6-7/280) Currently listed as a guard prospect, has the length and size the Cats look for in offensive tackles, the Cats were able to pull Matthew Pola-Mao last year, so perhaps they can pull another Arizona prospect. Has some power and ability to play with leverage.
Caden Phillips, Offensive Tackle, Macon MO (6-5/300) .. Small school product has good size and displays good athleticism, participating on both the football and wrestling team for his high school. Currently plays guard but is often asked to be set edges and pull in the run game. Moves well for a kid his size. Curious about competition.
Tyson McWilliams, Defensive Back, San Diego (6-2/170) ..Tall and athletic corner, plays on the outside on defense along with receiver and kick returner. Good, fluid athlete as a corner also shows a willingness to come up and tackle. Appears to have decent ball skills. Currently shows offers from Nebraska and Iowa State. Recruitment likely to pick up.
Ronald Pledger, Cornerback, Chicago (6-3/180) Currently committed to Western Michigan, also currently has offers from Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech. Has played outside in high school and at the college level. Has decent ball skills. Willing to tackle, could potentially end up at safety if he can’t stick at corner.
LB Moore, Defensive End, Amarillo TX (6-4/220) A top target of Texas Tech, Moore is quick off the edge and displays a burst attacking the quarterback in the passing game. Often plays standing up and rushing up the field, he can also line up on the edge. Has to get stronger (what kid at this level of development doesn’t) and better use of his hands when he engages with lineman. For a loose comparison to Kstate, he’s similar-ish to Reggie Walker.
Felix Anudike, Defensive End, Lee’s Summit (6-4/220) The Cats have some level of interest as he camped with Cats earlier this summer. Has good length and some athleticism that could be developed into something interesting. New regime has talked about wanting to recruit the Kansas City area, and he could certainly fit the bill at a position of need. If there was a name most likely to be a Cat on signing day, he’s the most likely.
Michael West, Defensive End, St Louis (6-5/210) Played both defensive end and receiver as a junior in high school. Another player that as he grows into his body and continues to develop strength on the end. Currently receiving a lot of interest from mid level D1 programs but a strong senior season. Between his senior season growth and a college weight program, displays athleticism that could be perhaps be interesting.
Jalen Travis, Offensive Tackle, Minneapolis MN (6-7/280)... Played left tackle, appears to have good feet and plays with some power. Appears to maintain technique and discipline when moving and will finish blocks with nastiness. Shows multiple Big Ten offers so could be difficult to land. Klieman and staff have had success in Minnesota and Travis appears to have the potential to help address a still major position of need.
Zach Perkins, Offensive Tackle, Clearwater FL (6-4/315) ...Same high school as current freshman receiver Joshua Youngblood and linebacker recruit Jaylen Harrell, which couldn’t hurt either Perkins or Harrell’s recruitment. Not likely a left tackle but a powerful player could play right tackle or perhaps even slide inside. Big and strong player, his size and foot speed likely limits his ability to play on the left side. Has offers from multiple SunBelt and C-USA schools.
Armaj Adams, Offensive Tackle, Desoto TX (6-5/330) ..Played left tackle as a junior is a big prospect with some power and good hustle. Needs work on technique as he can rely on size, causing him at times to bend and lean. Is to heavy and with a lower weight could move and likely maintain better technique. However, has multiple years experience playing left tackle and you can’t coach size.
Jacob Gardner, Offensive Tackle, Rancho Cucamonga CA (6-5/285) Currently committed to Nevada, he’s played left tackle and appears to be a good mix of athleticism and technique. Has offers from mountain west schools currently. Perhaps the opportunity for immediate playing time could entice him to give the Cats a look.
Adam Karas, Offensive Tackle, Pamona CO (6-5/272) Currently committed to Air Force, has the size and length the new Cats staff prefers at the position. Also displays an ability to play with both power and technique as a left tackle junior in high school. Can get out in the open field a bit as a blocker and also displays a level of finishing in the run game.
Andrew Rumary, Offensive Tackle, Surprise AZ (6-7/280) Currently listed as a guard prospect, has the length and size the Cats look for in offensive tackles, the Cats were able to pull Matthew Pola-Mao last year, so perhaps they can pull another Arizona prospect. Has some power and ability to play with leverage.
Caden Phillips, Offensive Tackle, Macon MO (6-5/300) .. Small school product has good size and displays good athleticism, participating on both the football and wrestling team for his high school. Currently plays guard but is often asked to be set edges and pull in the run game. Moves well for a kid his size. Curious about competition.
Tyson McWilliams, Defensive Back, San Diego (6-2/170) ..Tall and athletic corner, plays on the outside on defense along with receiver and kick returner. Good, fluid athlete as a corner also shows a willingness to come up and tackle. Appears to have decent ball skills. Currently shows offers from Nebraska and Iowa State. Recruitment likely to pick up.
Ronald Pledger, Cornerback, Chicago (6-3/180) Currently committed to Western Michigan, also currently has offers from Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech. Has played outside in high school and at the college level. Has decent ball skills. Willing to tackle, could potentially end up at safety if he can’t stick at corner.
LB Moore, Defensive End, Amarillo TX (6-4/220) A top target of Texas Tech, Moore is quick off the edge and displays a burst attacking the quarterback in the passing game. Often plays standing up and rushing up the field, he can also line up on the edge. Has to get stronger (what kid at this level of development doesn’t) and better use of his hands when he engages with lineman. For a loose comparison to Kstate, he’s similar-ish to Reggie Walker.
Felix Anudike, Defensive End, Lee’s Summit (6-4/220) The Cats have some level of interest as he camped with Cats earlier this summer. Has good length and some athleticism that could be developed into something interesting. New regime has talked about wanting to recruit the Kansas City area, and he could certainly fit the bill at a position of need. If there was a name most likely to be a Cat on signing day, he’s the most likely.
Michael West, Defensive End, St Louis (6-5/210) Played both defensive end and receiver as a junior in high school. Another player that as he grows into his body and continues to develop strength on the end. Currently receiving a lot of interest from mid level D1 programs but a strong senior season. Between his senior season growth and a college weight program, displays athleticism that could be perhaps be interesting.
