I took a look at the players that both team loss from last season due to graduation / draft.
Stanford had 5 players drafted, including a 1st round (OG). 28 picks later, K-State’s lone draft pick, Cody Whitehair, was selected late in the 2nd round.
Both teams had 3 or 4 players sign free agent contracts.
In a game where some fans expect K-State to be dominated, I always like to look at the lineman on offense and the front seven on defense. If a team is going to dominate, the big uglies have to dominate.
O-Line:
K-State and Stanford must replace 3 starting O-lineman (you could say 4 for K-State, though Stiverson had an injury plagued senior season).
In addition to the guard taken in the 1st round, Stanford had an O-tackle drafted in the 6th round (#200 overall) and Stanford also had a tight-end drafted in 3rd round (#81 overall). I mention the tight-end, because the tight-end is often part of the blocking scheme. In summary, Stanford loss 3 starting O-lineman and their tight-end, 3 of the 4 were drafted.
I realize Stanford is stacked, but you don’t replace that kind of talent overnight, McCaffrey could find things a little tougher sledding this year. Darrin Sproles in his senior year, had to make a lot of players miss behind the line of scrimmage. At least early on, I believe McCaffery is going to miss the starting lineman from a year ago.
As for K-State, in addition to Cody Whitehair, Boston Stiverson signed a free agent contract with the Cowboys (I believe that Boston is still on the Cowboy’s roster).
Luke Hayes was invited to workout with Houston, but I don’t believe he was actually signed.
I’m not concerned about replacing Stiverson and Hayes, the CATS have some very viable candidates at guard, some with starting experience. Replacing Cody on the other hand, is a major concern (Kleinsorge, not so much).
Frantz and Beecham started at tackle for the purple squad in the spring game.
Breontae Matthews will join the CATS this summer.
O-Line Strength: Given both schools have a lot to replace up-front and K-State brings back some experienced players, I don't see an advantage by either school, but will give a slight edge to Stanford.
"IF" Matthews comes in and plays at a high level = would be HUGE for the CATS.
D-Line:
K-State and Stanford both have two d-lineman to replace. Both schools had a D-lineman sign a free agent contract. My only significant concern on defense is replacing Britz. Settles looked good in the Spring Game (on the white squad …Seiwert did not play).
I’m stoked about Jordan Willis having a big senior season. Geary should be better in his second year as a starter. Rather it’s Reggie Walker or Tanner Wood or ???, I believe the CATS will experience an upgrade at D-end this season (Marquel Bryant played hard, but he wasn’t exactly an All Big 12 performer).
Both teams have suffered losses on the D-line, but Stanford loss 2 of their starting 3. One of the D-ends (signed a free agent contract), was second on the team in tackles.
D-Line Strength: I believe K-State has a slight edge on the D-line.
Furthermore, Stanford loss 2 of their 4 starting LBs. Their leading tackler a year ago, Blake Martinez, was drafted. Martinez had a 141 tackles a year ago, the next closest player had 57 tackles. Martinez was a tackling machine. K-State has an advantage at LB.
Starting players gone from last season in RED
Note some of the players are listed as seniors, but still had a year of eligibility left.
STANFORD OFFENSE
QB 8 Kevin Hogan (6-4, 218, Sr.)
RB 5 Christian McCaffrey (6-0, 201, So.)
FB 82 Chris Harrell (6-4, 244, Sr.)
WR 3 Michael Rector (6-1, 189, Sr.)
WR 89 Devon Cajuste (6-4, 227, Sr.) #4 receiving
TE 18 Austin Hooper (6-4, 248, Jr.) #3 receiving
LT 78 Kyle Murphy (6-7, 301, Sr.)
LG 51 Joshua Garnett (6-5, 321, Sr.)
C 52 Graham Shuler (6-4, 285, Sr.)
RG 57 Johnny Caspers (6-4, 300, Sr.)
RT 77 Casey Tucker (6-6, 300, So.)
PK 34 Conrad Ukropina (6-1, 193, Sr.)
STANFORD DEFENSE
DE 17 Brennan Scarlett (6-4, 264, Sr.) # 13
DT 90 Solomon Thomas (6-3, 271, So.)
DE 7 Aziz Shittu (6-3, 279, Sr.) #2
OLB 34 Peter Kalambayi (6-3, 242, Jr.)
OLB 48 Kevin Anderson (6-4, 244, Sr.) # 9
ILB 4 Blake Martinez (6-2, 245, Sr.) #1
ILB 44 Kevin Palma (6-2, 252, Jr.)
CB 13 Alijah Holder (6-2, 184, So.)
SS 29 Dallas Lloyd (6-3, 207, Sr.)
FS 5 Kodi Whitfield (6-2, 202, Sr.) # 4
CB 21 Ronnie Harris (5-10, 172, Sr.) #11
P 47 Alex Robinson (6-0, 207, Jr.)
Stanford loss their #1, #2, #4, #9, #11, #13 tackle leaders.
Including their tackle leader, Blake Martinez, who had nearly 3 times the number of tackles as the #2 tackler.
K-State loss their #6 (Prewitt), #7, #10, #11, #14 tackle leaders.
Stanford loss 43% of sack total including their sack leader.
K-Sate loss 29% of sack total from a year ago.
Stanford also loss their #3 & #4 WRs, whereas K-State should see a dramatic improvement at WR in 2016. (#2 WR = McCaffery).
As for the D-backfield, I believe you’re going to see significant improvement by K-State. Dante Barnett and company are going to be rock solid (Stanford has 2 starters to replace).
Both teams will be breaking in new QBs.
I believe in the Legend. I believe in the CATS.
I’m not ready to throw in the towel on this game.
In fact, if K-State can take care of the ball and perhaps get a turnover or two, the CATS can and WILL WIN! Ya gotta believe!
GO STATE !
Stanford had 5 players drafted, including a 1st round (OG). 28 picks later, K-State’s lone draft pick, Cody Whitehair, was selected late in the 2nd round.
Both teams had 3 or 4 players sign free agent contracts.
In a game where some fans expect K-State to be dominated, I always like to look at the lineman on offense and the front seven on defense. If a team is going to dominate, the big uglies have to dominate.
O-Line:
K-State and Stanford must replace 3 starting O-lineman (you could say 4 for K-State, though Stiverson had an injury plagued senior season).
In addition to the guard taken in the 1st round, Stanford had an O-tackle drafted in the 6th round (#200 overall) and Stanford also had a tight-end drafted in 3rd round (#81 overall). I mention the tight-end, because the tight-end is often part of the blocking scheme. In summary, Stanford loss 3 starting O-lineman and their tight-end, 3 of the 4 were drafted.
I realize Stanford is stacked, but you don’t replace that kind of talent overnight, McCaffrey could find things a little tougher sledding this year. Darrin Sproles in his senior year, had to make a lot of players miss behind the line of scrimmage. At least early on, I believe McCaffery is going to miss the starting lineman from a year ago.
As for K-State, in addition to Cody Whitehair, Boston Stiverson signed a free agent contract with the Cowboys (I believe that Boston is still on the Cowboy’s roster).
Luke Hayes was invited to workout with Houston, but I don’t believe he was actually signed.
I’m not concerned about replacing Stiverson and Hayes, the CATS have some very viable candidates at guard, some with starting experience. Replacing Cody on the other hand, is a major concern (Kleinsorge, not so much).
Frantz and Beecham started at tackle for the purple squad in the spring game.
Breontae Matthews will join the CATS this summer.
O-Line Strength: Given both schools have a lot to replace up-front and K-State brings back some experienced players, I don't see an advantage by either school, but will give a slight edge to Stanford.
"IF" Matthews comes in and plays at a high level = would be HUGE for the CATS.
D-Line:
K-State and Stanford both have two d-lineman to replace. Both schools had a D-lineman sign a free agent contract. My only significant concern on defense is replacing Britz. Settles looked good in the Spring Game (on the white squad …Seiwert did not play).
I’m stoked about Jordan Willis having a big senior season. Geary should be better in his second year as a starter. Rather it’s Reggie Walker or Tanner Wood or ???, I believe the CATS will experience an upgrade at D-end this season (Marquel Bryant played hard, but he wasn’t exactly an All Big 12 performer).
Both teams have suffered losses on the D-line, but Stanford loss 2 of their starting 3. One of the D-ends (signed a free agent contract), was second on the team in tackles.
D-Line Strength: I believe K-State has a slight edge on the D-line.
Furthermore, Stanford loss 2 of their 4 starting LBs. Their leading tackler a year ago, Blake Martinez, was drafted. Martinez had a 141 tackles a year ago, the next closest player had 57 tackles. Martinez was a tackling machine. K-State has an advantage at LB.
Starting players gone from last season in RED
Note some of the players are listed as seniors, but still had a year of eligibility left.
STANFORD OFFENSE
QB 8 Kevin Hogan (6-4, 218, Sr.)
RB 5 Christian McCaffrey (6-0, 201, So.)
FB 82 Chris Harrell (6-4, 244, Sr.)
WR 3 Michael Rector (6-1, 189, Sr.)
WR 89 Devon Cajuste (6-4, 227, Sr.) #4 receiving
TE 18 Austin Hooper (6-4, 248, Jr.) #3 receiving
LT 78 Kyle Murphy (6-7, 301, Sr.)
LG 51 Joshua Garnett (6-5, 321, Sr.)
C 52 Graham Shuler (6-4, 285, Sr.)
RG 57 Johnny Caspers (6-4, 300, Sr.)
RT 77 Casey Tucker (6-6, 300, So.)
PK 34 Conrad Ukropina (6-1, 193, Sr.)
STANFORD DEFENSE
DE 17 Brennan Scarlett (6-4, 264, Sr.) # 13
DT 90 Solomon Thomas (6-3, 271, So.)
DE 7 Aziz Shittu (6-3, 279, Sr.) #2
OLB 34 Peter Kalambayi (6-3, 242, Jr.)
OLB 48 Kevin Anderson (6-4, 244, Sr.) # 9
ILB 4 Blake Martinez (6-2, 245, Sr.) #1
ILB 44 Kevin Palma (6-2, 252, Jr.)
CB 13 Alijah Holder (6-2, 184, So.)
SS 29 Dallas Lloyd (6-3, 207, Sr.)
FS 5 Kodi Whitfield (6-2, 202, Sr.) # 4
CB 21 Ronnie Harris (5-10, 172, Sr.) #11
P 47 Alex Robinson (6-0, 207, Jr.)
Stanford loss their #1, #2, #4, #9, #11, #13 tackle leaders.
Including their tackle leader, Blake Martinez, who had nearly 3 times the number of tackles as the #2 tackler.
K-State loss their #6 (Prewitt), #7, #10, #11, #14 tackle leaders.
Stanford loss 43% of sack total including their sack leader.
K-Sate loss 29% of sack total from a year ago.
Stanford also loss their #3 & #4 WRs, whereas K-State should see a dramatic improvement at WR in 2016. (#2 WR = McCaffery).
As for the D-backfield, I believe you’re going to see significant improvement by K-State. Dante Barnett and company are going to be rock solid (Stanford has 2 starters to replace).
Both teams will be breaking in new QBs.
I believe in the Legend. I believe in the CATS.
I’m not ready to throw in the towel on this game.
In fact, if K-State can take care of the ball and perhaps get a turnover or two, the CATS can and WILL WIN! Ya gotta believe!
GO STATE !
