OFFENSE
Andre McDonald is my #1 pick for offensive breakout star. Unfortunately, he has to sit out the first game due to pet problems, so it could be a rough year for my predictions.
#18 Andre McDonald
I love tight end plays. They seem so sneaky and efficient. Look at all that blocking he's done all game, oh wait, he's a receiver too! It just makes sense, and after Stanford got so much use out of their tight ends during the Andrew Luck era, I want to do that too. So Andre is my guy. I realize that he's the opposite of Coach's guy and he gets into weird trouble and he's probably not the best "family mentality" player on the team. So it must drive Coach crazy that he keeps saving our skins time and time and time again. I'm cheering for him, and hoping that he can grow up both on and off the field. We need him.
#33 John Hubert
Robert Rose is still my favorite running back, but you've got to admire Hubert's skills as a human pinball. He always keeps his legs churning and can slip through holes and while he may not have the speed or the elusiveness of some of the greats, he bounces off players better than any running back I've ever seen. He was seriously overshadowed last season by the Bryce Brown drama and Klein's running game, but he saved us in tight games. When the offense stalled the most (Missouri, Texas, Iowa State, Arkansas) Hubert was there, quietly moving the chains. If we can get the Klein/Hubert backfield to look a little bit more like the Bishop/Hickson backfield - wowza.
Perfect example. Collin is the one who scored, and he's looking to the ref for confirmation. Puetz has his back turned on the play and is already signalling. And he was RIGHT.
#50 Nick Puetz Nick is young, and is our most frequent false starter currently on the team (bye bye Hanson) but Nick does one thing that I absolutely love. He always - ALWAYS - calls the outcome before the refs. If we got a touchdown and the refs haven't signaled yet, look at #50. If he signals, it's a touchdown. Same with fumbles, first downs and receptions. Nick knows, and he gets SO excited about it. Keep rocking that signal, Nick. We see you and we love it.
#86 Tramaine Thompson
Tramaine is my favorite kind of wide receiver because he has to use his entire body to catch a ball. Have you ever seen him catch a ball flat footed? He's not great for yards after catch, because he's typically extended as high and as far back as he can go, usually resulting in some sort of spectacular back flip. It's amazing to watch and exhibits that tremendous toughness and effort that Coach is always talking about. This kid will not be limited by his size. PS - Check out the link to see a picture of him. Is that what you pictured? That mustache is amazing.
I bet BJ was a good roomie too. Shalin has some big shoes to fill.
#66 BJ Finney
Finney is a classic Big 8 kind of football player. A team captain as a sophomore, already a Rimington trophy candidate, running the very young offensive line and besties with Collin. That's quite a bit of success for a former walk-on from Andale, KS. Some people think our O-Line was pretty great last year. I disagree. I'll be paying close attention to them this year, and I expect Finney to lead his band of unselfish brothers into battle for Collin and John and Braden.
DEFENSE
It's always a good sign when the top 5 image searches for your cornerback feature him with the ball in his hands.
#24 Nigel Malone
I feel bad about completely missing Nigel in last year's preseason predictions. He came out of nowhere, and was one of the only highlights in that dreadful Eastern Kentucky opener last year. Interceptions, especially the way Nigel does them, were such an exciting part of the defense last year. That, and the famous Frank Alexander step, were the only reasons I rewatched the OU game from last year. Don't do it. It's not worth it. There's nothing to be learned from it except how to experience deep emotional pain and suffering. As a K-State fan, that's not exactly something we need to practice. Simply put: you can't do it any better than Malone.
#23 Jarard Milo
Currently Thomas Ferguson is beating him, but come on. The dude is Goolsby's brother. Gooooooooooooolsby. We gotta get that chant back.
Of course the Preacher's kid is the pump it up captain of this team.
#50 Tre Walker
Better known as "the deacon" Tre is one of the most exciting and excited kids on the defense. He made the goal line tackle at Miami, he's frustrated by the nickel package that doesn't allow him to play every down and he's as outspoken as Arthur is reserved. He's the yin to our extraordinary Arthur Brown yang and is the bright shining star of the rejuvenated Lynch Mob. This year, he takes over for Emmanuel "Too Tall" Lamur in the 4-2-5, which means that Walker will get far fewer plays off. It's your time, Tre. Preach.
#42 Meshak Williams
Meshak is our sack machine. He and Adam Davis were monsters on the defensive line last year, and with Coach Hayes running the defense this year, I'm hoping they get even more chances to blitz and stomp and sack and rage. Meshak sacked poor Jordan Webb twice in the first 5 minutes of the KU game last year. If our linebackers are as good as advertised, expect to hear much more about the Meshak sack package.
SECRET WEAPONS
#44 Ryan MuellerDid you know that Ryan Mueller played a key role in securing our victories over Eastern Kentucky, Iowa State and Texas A&M? Do you know which side of the ball Ryan plays for? Did you even know he was on the team? Ryan was a member of our super studly 3rd down pass rush package and is our most unsung secret weapon on defense. Remember that all important fumble in the Cotton Bowl that got us our first touchdown of the game? Ryan recovered it. Mark my words - he could be the next Jordan Voelker.
#21 Jonathan Truman and #47 Jared Loomis
Typically, when you talk special teams, you think of the punter, the kicker and the return guy. While all those guys do a great job, it's not exactly a secret. Our top two secret special teams weapons are Jared Loomis and Jonathan Truman. Truman had the memorable goal line punt catch in the OU game, as well as a momentum shifting fumble recovery against Baylor. In a season that was won on inches and magic, those plays cannot be overestimated. Jared Loomis is the special teams player that created that Baylor fumble and has been named the Special Teams captain this year. His best game of the year came against Texas, proving that walk-ons at K-State always give it their all when we need them the most. We win by eliminating mistakes, and that's what makes our Special Teams so deadly.
He's the one lurking right over Coach's shoulder... constant vigilance.
Bonus pick: Guy who holds the headset cords for Coach
I have no idea who this kid is, but I have huge respect for him. Can you imagine how stressful it would be to hold coach's headset cords and follow him around the whole game? What if you got distracted and watched the game and he started moving without you? What if you tripped or had to sneeze or needed to go to the bathroom? This guy gets no downs off. Though, can you imagine the inside information he has, by virtue of always being within earshot of Coach? I'm so jealous. He came by the library's info table on the second day of classes and I wanted to ask him so many questions, but didn't, because that would be creepy. So instead, I just smiled a huge cartoonish smile (also creepy) and gave him directions to Seaton Court. Luckily Seaton Court is super hard to find, so I don't think he noticed. Good on you, headset cords guy. You manage your responsibility in the most consistent way you can.
Fearless prediction: We win 11 games this year. If we beat OU, then we lose to Iowa State and drop the bowl game. If we lose to OU, then we drop the Texas game and win the bowl. Or we win them all. It's 11-2 or 13-0. Nothing in between. That seems general enough to be accurate, right? Since I was the only person in the world to be right last year, I figure it's time to get a little foolish.
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