From The Couch: K-State Football and Basketball Updates
Football season is 27 days away and the hype is starting to pick up, but there is plenty of basketball news to share as well. Let’s get right into it.
JM: The commitment of Collins will likely turn out to be an underrated one. He is a three-star player, but a speedy one…
“Collins, 5-foot-11, 175-pound defensive back from Staley High School in Kansas City, won the 200-meter dash with a Missouri Class 5 record time of 21.23 seconds and he finished third in the 100-meter dash as a junior.”…David Boyce, SI, July 4, 2024
JM: This commit also shows that K-State continues to be very competitive in the Kansas City area. Missouri also showed interest in Collins.
JM: Chris Klieman and crew was also able to go into Little Rock, Arkansas and steal a recruit from the University of Arkansas, and the SEC. Pretty impressive.
JM: The Hornung award has been awarded since 2010. It normally goes to a player who is a skill position player and also a return specialist, but sometimes goes to a player who plays on both sides of the ball. It looks like Edwards is going to be the primary return specialist for the Wildcats.
JM: Last season, the Maxwell award went to Michael Penix, Jr., quarterback at Washington.
JM: I’m never one to glean much out of practice video, but thought you might enjoy getting a little preview of the 2024 Wildcats.
JM: Panzer might be the best last name of an offensive lineman I’ve ever heard. Hadley “the tank” Panzer will likely open a lot of holes for Avery Johnson, DJ Giddens, and Dylan Edwards this fall.
JM: I hope Adrian Martinez makes the Jets roster. He was voted the MVP of the UFL this summer and led the Birmingham Stallions to the UFL championship, while earning championship game MVP honors.
JM: Dybantsa is projected to be the number one pick in the NBA draft in 2026. How seriously is he considering K-State? It looks like he is scheduling a visit this fall.
“Dybantsa is additionaly considering staying in Utah, where he will play his final high school season at Utah Prep, by commiting to BYU. He told KSL Sports’ Mitch Harper that he was impressed by head coach Kevin Young’s background coaching in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers.
UNC could look to draw in Dybantsa by demonstrating the program’s development skills with five-star prospects Drake Powell and Ian Jackson during the upcoming season. Meanwhile, Kansas State could promise significant NIL opportunities after offering a record $2 million deal to Illinois transfer Coleman Hawkins earlier this summer (h/t Shams Charania.)”…Julia Stumbaugh, Bleacher Report, August 2, 2024.
JM: Show him the money, Wildcat NIL!
JM: Why are Arizona State and Cincinnati home and away opponents instead of traditional Big 12 or Big 8 schools? I’d swap Arizona State for Colorado and have the traditional Big 8 schools all play a home & away with each other.
JM: Nothing sticks out to me as very exciting about the non-conference schedule. LSU at home is cool and the Paradise Jam will be fun, but I don’t know how this schedule will help build an NCAA tournament resume.
JM: I already like Dug McDaniel. He’s got some leadership qualities along with his game. It is going to be fun watching him this season.
