Rapid Recap: Insight on Kansas State receivers, defensive standouts

What did we learn from Kansas State offensive coordinator Collin Klein and the offensive players when they spoke to the media on Monday afternoon?

Kansas State back-up QB battle

The battle for the back-up quarterback job is an interesting one for Kansas State. Head coach Chris Klieman had already alluded to it being between Jake Rubley and Avery Johnson, and the Wildcats’ offensive coordinator echoed the same.

As of right now, Rubley has taken the lead for the role. It has been the best fall camp of his career, according to Klein. The game is starting to slow down for the sophomore, and he is more confident in his control of the offense and what the defense is giving him.

His comfort with the playbook has come a long way.

Johnson is nipping on the heels of Rubley, though. The Maize product has taken a major step, even from the Spring. Will Howard noted that every time Johnson runs that he jokes with Klieman about how it will be a touchdown.

Confidence

One adjective that everyone used to describe how different Howard is now compared to what they witnessed in the past was how much more confident he is in his uniform. The K-State quarterback even used it to describe himself.

He is seeing pictures better and understanding what defenses are doing and what’s going to happen even before the ball is snapped. Howard also has a better understanding of the offense and what Klein and Klieman want to do each play.

His handling of adversity has also made him more confident and tougher as well. Nothing impacts him. Now one bad play does not make him doubt himself. He just knows he can do better and comes back more motivated on the next play.

QB2 right now for Kansas State is Jake Rubley, with Avery Johnson holding down the third spot. Good competition. Will Howard took time to rave about both, and Collin Klein says it has been Rubley's best camp.

— Derek Young (@DerekYoungKSO) August 14, 2023

Position group standing out

Klein was asked a good question about what position group has stood out to him the most and made a considerable impact during Kansas State training camp. Before giving his direct answer, he provided each spot with plenty of compliments.

He just glowed about the receivers the most.

Keagan Johnson has been great since arriving at K-State. Everyone has praised him and Monday was no different. In fact, Monday may have been when Johnson was lauded more than any other time since enrolling in Manhattan.

The Iowa transfer has really impressed Klein with his route-running ability. The way he makes his breaks and gets in and out of cuts and puts his foot in the ground has a certain wow factor. He can get up to top speed in a hurry as well.

Klein referred to Johnson as a stud on more than one occasion. Ben Sinnott had strong and positive reactions about Johnson’s performance as well and Howard couldn’t speak enough about how he has instantly became a top target.

RJ Garcia was also among the first receivers that Klein instantly singled out, along with Johnson and Phillip Brooks. The way everyone spoke on Monday made it seem like he’s one of the three Kansas State starters at the position.

Additionally, Xavier Loyd, Jadon Jackson and Ty Bowman were also mentioned by Howard.

Two players on defense singled out by Kansas State OC Collin Klein as being pains in the butt to deal with were Uso Seumalo and Will Lee. Said the secondary in general has been more difficult to navigate because of the amount of length back there.

— Derek Young (@DerekYoungKSO) August 14, 2023

K-State TE depth

K-State knows what they have at tight end in Ben Sinnott, but there are a few players battling for snaps behind him. Assistant Brian Lepak noted last week that competition is high, and Klein reinforced that notion on Monday.

Will Swanson has really come on for the Wildcats and has made plays throughout training camp. He was mentioned by Lepak as a contender for a secondary role, and his offensive coordinator really enjoys his ability to be more of the in-line guy at the position for Kansas State.

Garrett Oakley received a lot of praise from Klein, too. He called the redshirt freshman impressive and described him as one of the more improved players on the roster. Brayden Loftin is another redshirt freshman that was the beneficiary of some positive compliments as well.

Sinnott went as far as to say that it is the deepest tight end room at K-State that he has been around during his time in Manhattan.

Defensive players giving the offense fits

It is always fun to get the perspective from the offensive players and Klein about the defense.

There were two names mentioned by the offensive coordinator that have given the offense problems at a regular clip and neither are a surprise.

Though he is not currently practicing, Uso Seumalo was raved about by Klein, who even called him a machine on the defensive side of the ball that is just a nuisance to contain and block nearly every time that the ball is snapped.

It is not the first time the nose guard has been mentioned as someone that has really lifted his game.

Kansas State cornerback Will Lee was the other defender identified by the team’s offensive coordinator.

He has been a recipient of a lot of praise the past few weeks, including from the head coach, and is starting to come on strong. The secondary has been difficult to navigate as a whole, according to Klein, because of how much length that they have added.