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Kansas State position battle: Kicker

On3 imageby:Derek Young•08/28/23•

DerekYoungKSO

On3 image
Chris Tennant/Kansas State Athletics

Our Kansas State season preview series continues with a close look at how the Wildcats plan to address the void left behind by Ty Zentner. Not only was he one of the better punters in the Big 12, he took over the kicking duties after some struggles.

Kansas State contenders

Chris Tennant: To begin the 2022 season, he was the starting kicker. After inconsistencies and struggles, Chris Klieman and Kansas State had to make a change. Will he get another chance and can he take advantage of it?
Lleyton Simmering: If not Tennant, Simmering could be the choice. He was the only other place kicker that was identified as a candidate by Klieman throughout the offseason.

Analysis

Klieman admitted last week that Tennant had to play a bit of catch-up to make it a tight battle between he and Simmering. That would suggest that Simmering was running away with the starting gig at one point. That is surprising to say the least.

However, the K-State head coach did indicate that Tennant made a large push during the last few weeks of training camp to make it a battle once again and was ascending the most he had in his career. Was it enough to surpass Simmering and earn his second chance?

Prediction

Judging by the depth chart that can be seen in the tweet above, Tennant’s performance towards the end of training camp has propelled him to being anointed the starting kicker for Kansas State. That is substantial, since a few roles were still left undetermined.

Tennant will have a lot of his eyes on him when he attempts his first few kicks this season.

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