With the transfer portal in full swing and spring football practices underway, there is plenty of K-State sports news to talk about. Sounds like a perfect time for some Rapid Fire. Let’s GO!

-Jerome Tang received a commitment from Michigan point guard transfer Dug McDaniel Wednesday. McDaniel is a former four-star top-100 high school player who played the last two years at Michigan. This past season, he averaged 16.3 points and 4.7 assists per game. Perhaps most importantly, he averaged only 2.4 turnovers per game. Departing K-State guard Tylor Perry averaged 15.3 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.7 turnovers per game. I watched some highlights of McDaniel, and by looking at the tape and the numbers, this looks like an upgrade at the point guard position. I just hope Jerome Tang doesn’t call McDaniel the “best shooter in America” or something like that to set him up for failure.

-K-State basketball has lost three players to the transfer portal thus far: Forward Jerrell Colbert, guard Cam Carter, and guard Dorian Finister. With the addition of McDaniel and incoming freshman David Castillo, they have four spots to fill, assuming nobody else on the current roster enters the portal. It would be nice to see everyone else stay, especially the freshmen.

-The K-State women’s basketball team lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament to Colorado. It was a pretty disappointing end to a season that had a lot of high hopes, especially after the team was ranked as high as number two in the nation earlier in the year. There are rumors that star player Ayoka Lee may return for another year. If she does, I hope she stays healthy, and K-State can make a much deeper run in next year’s tournament.

-K-State baseball is tied for second place in the Big 12 after two straight losses to Texas. Hey it’s nice to have a decent baseball team, but I have no idea if they will be in contention all season or have a chance to win the league and make the College World Series. Guess I’ll just enjoy the ride like everyone else appears to be doing.

-The football team has been practicing, but there is not a spring game again this year. I miss it. It was always fun to see a preview of the next version of the Wildcats. I hope Chris Klieman brings it back sometime in the future.

-K-State wide receivers coach Matthew Middleton said Sterling Lockett has done a “phenomenal” job this spring. Does that mean he is in contention for a starting spot at wide receiver? It will be nice to see anyone named “Lockett” on the field this fall.

-Middleton was asked about recruiting receivers to come to K-State to catch balls from Avery Johnson by showing them tape of him. He said, “It’s easy. Just hit play. Come see us.” Recruiting receivers shouldn’t be an issue for at least a couple more years!

-Running backs coach Brian Anderson said K-State fans will see a “different running back” in DJ Giddens this fall. He is bigger and stronger, and has been lining up in the slot at wide receiver. I think Giddens might be poised to have a great season.

-Is it just me, or is your enjoyment of college sports not what it once was because of all this transfer portal and NIL nonsense? I still watch the games, but I have a lot of friends who used to be avid college sports fans who are just about done with college sports. It is much more difficult to follow and fall in love with your favorite K-State players like you used to be able to do if they played at the University for a full four years. I am curious to hear what you think. Shoot me a message and let me know.