#19 Sammy Wheeler — The graduation of reliable receiving target Sammy Wheeler (19) freed up his jersey number for a new tight end, redshirt freshman Garrett Harstad. | Photo by Kevin Langley/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

In which BracketCat counts down the 19th day until the 2024 kickoff with a profile of Kansas State tight end Garrett Harstad.

#19 Garrett Harstad

Redshirt Freshman | 6-4 | 224 lbs. | Loveland, Colorado

Position: Tight End
Previous College: None
Projection: Scout Team
Status: Preferred Walk-On

Garrett Harstad (b. Nov. 25, 2004) is a quarterback from Loveland High School in Colorado with deceptive, long-legged speed who K-State coaches have converted into a tight end.

(Watch his exciting 7-minute quarterback highlight film here. There were times he reminded me of another quarterback for Loveland who ended up also wearing No. 7, but at K-State…)

He redshirted and did not play in 2023, and projects as a member of the 2024 scout team.

A four-year letter-winner under head coach Allan Jeffries, Harstad led Loveland to a 12-2 record as he was named a first-team all-state performer and the Loveland Reporter-Herald’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 after rushing for 1,845 yards and 24 touchdowns from his quarterback position, while also throwing for 676 yards and 10 scores.

His rushing yardage ranked third in the state, regardless of position or classification.

Harstad, who is majoring in business administration, rushed for 3,859 yards and 53 touchdowns in his Red Wolves career, and he was a three-year all-conference performer.

He also was a standout in basketball and baseball, earning all-conference honors multiple years and being named the Reporter-Herald’s baseball player of the year.

Harstad broke the school records for rebounds in a game, season and career, in addition to breaking the school’s batting average record. He was a first-team all-academic performer.