http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2865966&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab6pos1We've got 7 starters returning on offense, 6 on defense and one kicker returning.
Key Returning Players:
QB Josh Freeman (leading passer)
RB's James Johnson and Leon Patton (leading rusher)
WR Jordy Nelson (leading receiver)
C Jordan Bedore
DE's Ian Campbell (leader in sacks) and Rob Jackson
S Marcus Watts (leader in interceptions)
Key Losses:
WR/KR Yamon Figurs
LB's Zach Diles and Brandon Archer
S Kyle Williams
OT Michael Frieson
Newcomer to Watch:
S Lamark Brown
Positives Going Into the Fall:
1. Two running backs: The Wildcats have one of the better running back duos in the Big 12 with senior James Johnson and sophomore Leon Patton. Johnson is in better shape than he was when he arrived in Manhattan from junior college last summer. He has gained muscle and slimmed down. Patton was bothered by a sprained ankle in the spring, but the injury isn't expected to affect him this fall.
2. Experienced defensive line: The ends and tackles are one of the more experienced units on the squad. Junior Ian Campbell was fiercely disruptive last season with 11½ sacks and 17½ tackles for loss. Senior end Rob Jackson had 8 1/2 tackles for loss and four sacks in 2006. Senior Moses Manu and sophomore Eric Childs are the top reserves at end. Junior Alphonso Moran is the top candidate at nose tackle, but
juco All-American Michael Abana might be a factor in training camp.
Who?
3. Abundance of tight ends: Kansas State has four tight ends who could start for many teams. Senior Rashaad Norwood was the team's second leading receiver in 2006, and sophomore Jeron Mastrud is a dominating blocker and capable receiver. Senior Michael Pooschke and junior Brett Alstatt also can catch the football.
4. New defensive scheme: There weren't many problems in installing the 3-4 scheme for new defensive coordinator Tim Tibesar. Tibesar, who was the Wildcats' special teams coach last season, was promoted after Raheem Morris left to become the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' secondary coach. Coach Ron Prince is very familiar with the 3-4 scheme because Virginia coach Al Groh preferred that alignment when Prince was an assistant there. In the new alignment, Campbell might be moved from defensive end to outside linebacker, where his primary focus will still be rushing the passer. The 3-4 scheme should help Kansas State defend the spread offenses that are so prevalent in the Big 12.
5. Deep secondary: The Wildcats have as many as 10 players with experience in the secondary. Safety Marcus Watts is back after missing five games last season with a broken wrist. He still led the team with three interceptions. Senior cornerback Bryan Baldwin returns after breaking his arm in the fourth game of 2006, and cornerbacks Joshua Moore and Justin McKinney also have starting experience. Juco All-American Gary Chandler figures to challenge for playing time this fall.
Question Marks:
1. Josh Freeman's development: Freeman beat out four other quarterbacks to win the starting job last season, but then faltered in the Wildcats' last two games. He had nine turnovers combined in ugly losses to rival Kansas and Rutgers in the Texas Bowl. Freeman, who threw 15 interceptions and six touchdowns last season, wasn't much better in the spring. He completed only nine of 22 passes for 44 yards with two interceptions in the spring game. His team's offense was held to a total of zero yards in the intrasquad scrimmage.
2. Holes on offensive line: Freeman might have been better last season if he'd had more time to throw. Eight players are back who started at least one game on the offensive line last season. But only center Jordan Bedore and right tackle Nick Stringer, who missed spring practice with a shoulder injury, seem assured of keeping starting jobs. There could be as many as 19 players battling for playing time in the fall, including juco All-American Alesana Alesana, a mammoth 6-6 tackle.
3. Linebacker replacements: If Campbell moves to outside linebacker, senior Justin Roland and junior Reggie Walker are leading candidates to win the other two starting spots. But another incoming juco All-American -- former Oklahoma signee Chris Patterson -- will be involved in the mix this fall. Walker is an athletic outside linebacker, who had six tackles in the spring game.
4. Help for Jordy: Senior receiver Jordy Nelson struggled with a knee injury throughout the 2006 season, but still caught 39 passes for 547 yards and one touchdown. The Wildcats need to find some other receivers to help him. Senior Daniel Gonzalez and junior Cedric Wilson are steady but not spectacular, so look for juco transfers Ernie Pierce and Deon Murphy and highly touted freshman Lamark Brown to find their way into the rotation this fall.
5. Just for kicks: Record-setting kicker Jeff Snodgrass departed, and three players were competing to replace him during spring practice. Ohio transfer Brooks Rossman had a leg up at the end of spring practice, but he'll have to hold off incoming freshman Josh Cherry in preseason camp.
