Rapid Recap: Improved Kansas State special teams and depth

Young Kansas State depth

One of the first things mentioned in the first press conference of training camp from Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman was about the younger depth. The redshirt freshmen and true sophomores have seemed to really make a jump, just like we heard in March and April.

Defensive ends Chiddi Obiazor, Ryan Davis and Jordan Allen were the first three mentioned. Obiazor is heavier than both Davis and Allen and is playing a bit of a different position. All three edge guys have different skill-sets and K-State wants to utilize all of them.

Austin Romaine was singled out, too. He played in 12 games and made five starts as a true freshman a season ago. The experience from last season has helped the Missouri native. The game is starting to slow down for Romaine with more and more reps.

Cornerbacks Kanijal Thomas and Donovan McIntosh have had good starts to training camp as well. Thomas played in seven games last season, while McIntosh did not see any action and redshirted. Both will be battling it out for the No. 4 corner position, which will play a lot at Kansas State.

Linebackers shaking out

The linebacker spot for the most part is pretty solidified.

Desmond Purnell returns after a solid season a year ago, as well as Austin Moore. The ‘Mike’ position is where K-State has more questions. Beau Palmer and Romaine have been playing inside so far. Alec Marenco has been dealing with some injuries but will be in the mix inside, too.

For depth at linebacker, Asa Newsom is back healthy and looking good. Rex Van Wyhe and walk-on Zach Wittenberg have been playing well at the ‘Will’ spots.

Another mentioned was Terry Kirksey. The game is starting to slow down for him after not playing a season ago and redshirting while dealing with an injury. Where Kirksey has really improved is mentally and understanding the Kansas State defense.

QB2 battle

K-State has a solidified starting quarterback in Avery Johnson. However, there is a battle for the back-up quarterback job.

Ta’Quan Roberson has done a nice job after coming to Kansas State from UConn a bit late in the process. The game has also started to slow down for Jacob Knuth, who was also a transfer addition for the Wildcats. The South Dakota native was the scout team quarterback all of last season.

Klieman has been impressed with both but is not close to naming the guy that will get the call behind Johnson.

Special teams

Special teams last season for K-State were inconsistent, to be kind. That’s why there’s focus on substantial improvement. Bringing in Nate Kaczor from the Washington Commanders during the offseason has already produced strong returns for the Wildcats.

It is all three of Kaczor, Clint Brown and Klieman working with the special teams during training camp in Manhattan. Remember, all members of the support staff can be on the field and coach during practices this year.

Chris Tennant is back at kicker and has been the leader of the special teams unit. Kansas State has a wide open position battle at punter between Simon McClannan and Teagan Cobb.

All five of Jayce Brown, Dylan Edwards, Keagan Johnson, Sterling Lockett and LaJames White have been getting reps as kick and punt returners. It is still too early to say who has the edge at the spot for the Wildcats.