Greg McElroy identifies Kansas State’s MVP entering 2023 season

Kansas State’s top offensive playmaker from a year ago is gone, but ESPN’s Greg McElroy believes a new star is ready to emerge on that side of the ball for the Wildcats.

On his show, Always College Football, McElroy took a look at KSU and predicted who he thinks will be the team MVP. Given the explosive playmaker they need to replace in Deuce Vaughn, McElroy went offense for the team’s MVP and has a certain star returner that’s ready to be the face of the team.

“Could have gone in a bunch of different directions here,” admitted McElroy, however he just kept coming back to the QB. “I just felt like Will Howard had to be the pick. I didn’t want to go this direction, to be honest. I’ve tried to be creative here, used to pick linebackers, defensive ends, you know, a coach, an OC.”

In the Big 12, though, the guy taking snaps will typically decide your fate.

“But I feel like if you picked the MVP, I mean, we’re living in such a quarterback-driven world and the Big 12 in particular is so quarterback-driven and has been for a decade and change. So if you don’t have a guy, you don’t have a chance in the Big 12, you just don’t.

“Now, for as good as Deuce Vaughn was last year and for as good as their their defensive front was last year, and all these other things, man, you just can’t look beyond the quarterback spot in that league and not acknowledge that as your MVP.”

McElroy went on to praise Howard for his performances once stepping in as the starter last season, especially his play during the conference slate which helped propel the Wildcats to a Big 12 title.

“Now you look at what he did against Oklahoma State, Baylor, West Virginia, Kansas and then how he played against TCU both times — started 10 games the last couple years. But you really saw in 2022 him start to take the next step as far as taking ownership and starting to really grow and mature with confidence and being decisive and accurate.”

Without an established go-to running back, expect more on Howard’s plate this fall, predicts Greg McElroy.

“Now, he might not have the super elite running back that takes over the game, maybe it’s going to be a little bit more running back by committee, all that’s okay. But I do think it’s going to be on Will Howard’s shoulders if they’re going to get back to the Big 12 championship game. If they’re going to get back to College Football Playoff striking distance, Will Howard’s gonna have to play at a ridiculously elite level. He’s the MVP.”