No one recruited Klein, other than Colorado State and Air Force. He spent his red shirt year at KSU as a wide receiver.
There isn't much mystery to Snyder's success, and that's what makes it so frustrating, especially to a KU grad like me.
1. He works 120 hours a week, and expects his staff to do the same.
2. Knowing the Big 12 is offense-heavy, and KSU doesn't have the access to the same kind of talent as other teams, Snyder works hard to perfect defense, as much as his depth will allow, and especially special teams. Games can change on good special teams play. Kids might not like learning it, but returns, coverage, field position and making your field goals are vital. Blocking and tackling must be perfect. Don't over-pursue. On offense, by using a running quarterback as a primary ball carrier, you must account for him. Take as much time as possible to keep the opposing high-powered offense off the field. Moreover, they play as a unit. There is no individual freelancing. KSU is like a well-drilled platoon.
3. Kansas has a decent JuCo system. A major part of KSU's rise in the 1990s was a pipeline of talented but troubled and academically-deficient kids who perhaps could not get into school anywhere else.
4. Transfers. The best players in Kansas often leave the state, like Blake Bell or Joseph Randle. Two such players, Chris Harper and Arthur Brown, went to Oregon and Miami respectively. Harper wanted to play QB and Brown + Miami was a toxic combination. Snyder persuaded them to "come home" as he probably put it. Both will play in the NFL.
5. We had a good S&C coach named Chris Dawson, who was probably a major part of our Orange Bowl run. Yet we foolishly let him go after forcing Mangino to leave. KSU picked up Dawson immediately.
I absolutely hate it as a lifelong Jayhawk, but KSU will be in the national championship game. I don't see them faltering, whereas Oregon, Alabama and other contenders all have numerous land mines ahead.
