From The Couch – NFL Draft And Basketball Recruiting Buzz
The NFL draft in Kansas City is rapidly approaching and there are a few K-Staters creating quite the buzz. Jerome Tang and his basketball staff are also hitting the transfer portal hard. Here’s the latest….
JM: For the past couple of seasons I’ve thought that Felix Anudike-Uzomah is a no-brainer first round pick. It looks like at least some people agree with me.
JM: If any team passes on Felix late in the first round, they may be making a huge mistake. Felix isn’t the only K-Stater being talked about as a first round pick…
“If your favorite team was hoping to land the steal of the draft by landing Kansas State’s Julius Brents anywhere outside the top 50 picks, that lofty dream could be fading fast as the draft draws closer”….Luke Easterling, Athlon Sports, 4/10/23
JM: Brents is quickly climbing the draft boards of a lot of teams…..
JM: Everything I have seen in the last couple of days seems to indicate that Brents will be a first-day pick and possibly even a first-rounder….
“Even in an extremely deep class with tons of talent at the top, Brents currently checks in as the No. 5 cornerback on our boardย (trailing only Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon, Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez, Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr., and Maryland’s Deonte Banks), and the No. 23 overall player in the entire draft, regardless of position.”…Luke Easterling, Athlon Sports, 4/10/23
JM: If Brents is the number 23 overall player in the draft, the first round is definitely on the table.
“Cornerbacks with Brents’ profile just don’t come around often. He should absolutely be in the first-round conversation, and from the looks of his travel itinerary over the final two weeks of the predraft process, it looks like he just might be.”…Luke Easterling, Athlon Sports, 4/10/23
JM: When was the last time K-State had two players drafted in the first round? Don’t think too hard. It’s never happened before. Seems like it is a possibility in 2023. Deuce Vaughn, Adrian Martinez, Malik Knowles, and Nate Matlack are other K-Staters that I have seen as possible draft picks.
JM: I love Tang’s strategy. Build an experienced roster from the transfer portal. It worked last season and will likely work just as well going forward.
JM: Estrada averaged 20.2 points per game last season and shot 37% from three-point range. He also averaged 5.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. This would appear to be a huge get for Tang & Co.
JM: Phillips was a bench player for LSU last season, playing in 20 games. Perhaps a change of scenery would be a good thing for him. He must be talented to be a four-star recruit out of high school.
JM: Tang hasn’t forgotten about recruiting high school talent. Castillo recently visited Manhattan and K-State is still in the running for this top 30 player.
JM: To say this basketball coaching staff loves Manhattan and K-State fans would be a huge understatement. Already can’t wait until next season.
