Drew gives the full run down on the Wildcat offensive line. Get comfortable, this one takes a minute.
Channeling my best Roger Daltry voice “meet the new beef, same as the old beef!”
If you’re reading this preview, you probably already know that the ‘Cats just graduated 4 veteran offensive linemen, sending two to the NFL. Cooper Beebe is the starting center for the Cowboys and KT looks like he’s heading for the practice squad in LA for the Rams (not a bad gig while he recovers from a foot injury). That’s not something you seamlessly replace, but if any team can replace Grade A Kansas Beef with more Grade A Kansas Beef, it’s Kansas State.
There’s a reason why Conor Riley was bumped up to Co-Offensive coordinator. He’s one of the elite position coaches in the business. If the Wildcats didn’t offer him a promotion, someone was going to offer him a promotion, because he’s just that good.
Now he’s tasked with rebuilding the premier position group for the Wildcats while easing into life as an offensive coordinator with the assistance of former Texas Tech head coach and current Kansas State co-offensive coordinator Matt Wells. Luckily, there is plenty of talent on hand, including a few holdovers with experience from last season for Riley to mold into an impregnable, defender destroying unit.
The Starting 5
If you spend an inordinate amount of time listening to post practice press conferences, you’ll know that Connor Riley and Chris Klieman announced the starting 5 across the offensive line a couple weeks ago. That’s nice information to have for an article. I truly appreciate the help.
Left Tackle
Easton Kilty – Sr. – 6’6”, 307 – Stratford, Wisconsin (Startford High School)
The Dakota schools have been very good to Kansas State during Coach Klieman’s tenure, and he’s dipped back into his old stomping grounds to try and fill the KT Leveston sized hole at left tackle.
Enter Easton Kilty from the University of North Dakota.
You don’t come across talent like Kilty that often at North Dakota, and when you do, you find a way to get it on the field. He played all over the line for The Fighting Hawks, starting games at right guard, right tackle, and left guard before settling in at left tackle for the 2023 season. He improved as the season progressed, ending the year with All-Missouri Valley Honorable Mention Honors, and more importantly for the Wildcats, he entered the transfer portal considered the fifth best available offensive tackle (per 247 Sports).
Kansas State needed an offensive tackle, and Kilty wanted a step up in competition after 3 seasons at the FCS level; Kilty to Manhattan made too much sense for everyone involved not to happen. Teams like Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Auburn, NC State, and Virginia Tech made their case, and even lower-level teams like Iowa State and Texas Tech tried to get into the mix, but Kilty was signed, sealed, and delivered to the Wildcats after his official visit to The Little Apple.
Easton is a step back from KT in terms of run blocking, but keep in mind, KT was a guard playing left tackle. While he’s be a step back in terms of sheer road grading ability (and honestly, there are very few college linemen can run block like KT), he’s a big step up in terms of pass protection. At 6’6”, 307 he has the prototypical length coaches look for in a left tackle and the quick feet to match. Once he gets up to speed, the ‘Cats will have their starting left tackle for the next two seasons.
Getting up to speed is the only question I have regarding Easton. He’s going to be good, but it may take a few games to adjust to blocking Big 12 monsters at game speed. He has 35 starts under his belt, but none of those starts came against the caliber of player he’ll see on a week-to-week, or even snap-to-snap basis this season.
I’m confident he’ll adjust, but don’t be surprised if he has the occasional hiccup in the first few games.
Left Guard
Hadley Panzer – Sr. – 6’4”, 305 – Lakin, Kansas (Lakin High School)
Panzer, the loan starting hold-over from last season, moves from right guard where he started all 13 games last season, to left guard to facilitate the return of Taylor Poitier to his natural position at right guard.
Hadley has been a steady performer for Coach Riley over his three years in Manhattan; appearing in 9 games as a true freshman in 2021 and acquitting himself well. He started 13 games at right guard as a sophomore and another 13 as a junior. You’ll be hard pressed to find a more experienced interior lineman in college football this season.
Panzer brings talent, experience and toughness to the table, but he’s also one of the more mobile guards in the Big 12. He’s capable of moving the guy in front of him, but he’s at his best pulling around and hunting down 2nd and 3rd level defenders. He’s been over-shadowed by All-American Cooper Beebe (a substantial shadow no doubt) during his career. Now it’s his turn to shine.
It wouldn’t surprise me to see him on one of the Big12 post season teams at the end of the year or in a few mock drafts. He’s that good.
Center
Sam Hecht – Jr. – 6’4”, 287 – Shawnee, Kansas (Mill Valley High School)
A walk-on offensive lineman under 290 pounds starting at center for Kansas State?
Yeah, a walk-on offensive lineman under 290 pounds is starting at center for Kansas State. This is one of those cases where if the staff says he can play; I have no doubt he can play. They’ve earned that benefit of the doubt.
What you’re getting in Hecht is a two-time All-State performer (including a first team nod as a senior) with back-to-back Kansas State Championships, from a school that routinely produces (and provides Kansas State with) Division 1 football players. Not sure how teams in the area keep letting the ‘Cats pull in top level in-state walk-ons, but their loss is Connor Riley’s gain.
From what I’ve heard from the coaching staff, Hecht had the center position sewn up early in camp. He’s not the biggest offensive lineman, but he’s strong, quick, and athletic. Coach Riley likes to use his center as a puller. Snapping the ball and seamlessly leading the running back around the corner is a skill most college centers don’t possess. That takes practice, and Hecht received plenty of that exact type of practice over his last three seasons in Manhattan.
This is a case where Kansas State does something pretty unique in their scheme and really need to fill it internally. You could find a bigger, more prototypical center in the portal, or even on the Kansas State roster, but you won’t find one as well versed at playing center in the Connor Riley system than Sam.
My only concern is his ability to anchor against a monster nose tackle in a 3-man front. If he can consistently hold his ground against an interior bull rush, he’ll be just fine. I anticipate teams putting him to the test early. You won’t have to wait long for the answer.
Right Guard
Taylor Poitier – Sr. – 6’3”, 305 – Kansas City, Kansas (Bishop Miege High School)
When I first starting writing about Taylor Poitier in 2019, I had a full head of hair and a significantly less jaded view of the world.
(Plese don’t research the above statement.)
It’s been a roller coaster ride for the talented guard who made his first start for Kansas State in 2020. He then missed the entire 2021 season after suffering an injury in camp and the entire 2022 season after getting injured in the season opener against South Dakota. Basically, Taylor had the trash Covid season and two seasons that ended before they started under his belt before the ‘22-’23 season.
He made his return to the lineup and played in all 13 games in the offensive line rotation in ‘22-’23. This is the first time in his career he’s coming off a full season, followed by a full camp, without injury. When he’s right, he has top level mobility for a guard, which is key in Riley’s system. It sounds like he’s right and managed to hold off a tough push in camp for the starting spot from Andrew Leingang. I think Leingang is one heck of a football player, and if Poitier managed to hold him off, it speaks to his health, as talent has never been a question.
Fingers crossed he finishes out his seemingly decade long college football experience with a full, healthy, and dominant season.
Right Tackle
Carver Willis – Sr. – 6’5”, 291 – Durango, Colorado (Durango High School)
Carver is another experienced veteran ready to make his mark on the Kansas State offensive line. A member of the dreaded 2020 recruiting class, Willis is listed as a senior, but he’s technically only use two years of eligibility when you factor in the 2020 Covid year and a 2021 redshirt.
He’s a senior with two years of potential eligibility remaining.
In 2023 he stepped into the starting lineup at right tackle for the first seven games after Christian Duffie went down to injury, and it was rough at first. In fact, it was so rough the Cooper Bebee slid out to right tackle on occasion, with Poitier filling his spot at guard. While things started poorly, they ended well. Willis continued to scrap and by the time Duffie was ready to go, Carver had already transitioned from a huge question mark to a solid right tackle.
From all accounts, he’s carried the confidence built from overcoming some struggles in ‘22-’23 and looks like a different player in terms of confidence. I thought the right tackle spot would be up for grabs, but it sounds like Willis claimed the spot in the spring and never looked back, ending any speculation early.
It’s all about pass protection for Carver. When he struggled last season, he struggled with speed rushers who beat him out of his stance and then beat him around the corner. Once he started getting out of his stance, everything else fell into place. It’s much easier to play tackle when you don’t give your opponent a head start. As long as his late season performances carry over to this season, and I have no reason to think they won’t, he should be solid right tackle with the upside to be a good, if not great, right tackle.
This year we’re shooting for good, and I think that’s Carver’s floor.
Interior Depth
Andrew Leingang – Jr. – 6’6”, 306 – Bismarck, North Dakota (Century High School)
It feels like we’ve been waiting for Leingang, the former top-rated overall prospect out of North Dakota in 2021 to take over a position since he stepped foot on campus. The fact that he hasn’t is more a testament to the guys playing in front of him and some tough health and injury related setbacks, than lack of ability. Sometimes it be like that.
In 2022 he appeared in 9 games as a reserve offensive lineman, filling holes where needed and giving guys a breather without much drop-off in the offensive line’s performance. He even moonlighted as a fullback in short yardage situations when the coaching staff wanted to blow a massive hole in the defensive line.
In 2024 he’ll start as the ultimate depth piece, capable of playing everywhere on the line, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he eventually overtakes one of the starters if he remains healthy. Health, unfortunately, has been the issue. If he didn’t miss most of last season, he would be a starter from day 1 this year. The staff will let him knock some rust off early, but in terms of pure talent, he might be the best Kansas State has to offer, and they’ve got quite a few talented guys on the line.
Tackle Depth
John Pastore – So. – 6’6”, 303 – Erie, Colorada (Erie High School)
Like Leingang, Pastore would have seen significantly more action last season if he stayed healthy. Unfortunately, a nasty concussion early in the season limited him to one game.
Also, like Leingang, in terms of pure athletic talent, Pastore is probably one of the Wildcats top 5 linemen. He did a little bit of everything in high school. When he wasn’t dominating on the gridiron, he was busy hooping, and when he wasn’t blocking shots, or blocking out, he was throwing around heavy things for the track team (save a little talent for the rest of us John!). Oh, and he also holds the single season record for field goal blocks in Colorado history after swatting four as a junior. He claims to have a 30-inch vertical, so don’t discount him going full Mutumbo on a couple field goals over the next few seasons.
Long, athletic, tackles capable of starting outside at tackle and then sliding down to guard if they struggle with speed rushers is the template moving forward. Getting longer and more athletic on the offensive line was one of the goals of this coaching staff when they took over the program. Securing guys like Pastore and keeping them in the program will be key to this staff’s success moving forward.
Everyone Else
I’m going to move through these quickly, mainly because I’ve already put over 2,000 words into this article and THIS IS GAME WEEK!
Tackle Depth
Gus Hawkins – Fr. – 6’7”, 295 – Shawnee, Kansas (Mill Valley High School)
In terms of rankings, Hawkins is one of the best offensive line recruits in Kansas State history. In fact, he’s one of the best overall recruits…full stop. The On3 recruiting service, in particular, liked Gus. They evaluated him as the sixth best offensive tackle recruit in the nation, the best overall player in Kansas, and the 52nd best player in the 2024 recruiting class nationwide. I don’t think he’ll play in more than four games this season, but I’ve been surprised before.
Ryan Howard – Fr. – 6’7”, 310 – Downington, Pennsylvania (Downington West High School)
I’m sure you’re familiar with his older brother Will, who was just named the starting quarterback for Ohio State after finishing up a stellar 4-year career for the Wildcats. Ryan, like his brother, is a big ol’ dude. The Howard family has some stellar genetics. Like Hawkins, he’s probably a year away from cracking the rotation, but I think you’re starting to get an idea about what to expect at offensive tackle from the Wildcats moving forward.
Kaedin Massey – Fr. – 6’8”, 300 – Lyndon, Kansas (Lyndon High School)
Another monster freshman. The coaching staff is setting the “you must be at least this tall to play tackle at K-State” bar at 6’7”, and Massey clears that by an inch.
He did it all for Lyndon High School, earning first team All-State honors as a junior and senior. He led Lyndon to an undefeated state championship as a senior, but why dominate one sport when you can dominate 3 sports? Just for fun, Massey won the state heavyweight weightlifting championship in the clean, was all-state in both discus and shotput and messed around and ended up second team all-state in basketball. It’s interesting, as early athlete specialization continues to plague youth sports, guys like Massey, from small schools that need their athletes to play every sport, could be at a significant advantage.
Like his towering classmates, don’t expect to see much from Kaedin this season, but the third rated recruit out of Kansas in 2024 class won’t have to wait long to see the field. Physically, he’s ready right now.
Interior Depth
Drake Bequeaith – R-So. – 6’6”, 292 – Colleyville, Texas (Grapevine High School)
He started his career at tackle but looks like a guy that might get spun down to guard with the three tackle additions from the 2024 class. He played in four games last season and might be the 8th man off the bench for the offensive line. He could also provide depth at tackle. I wasn’t sure where to put him, but long-term, I think his future is on the inside.
Jackson Fullmer – R-Fr. – 6’4”, 285 – Eagle, Idaho (Rocky Mountain High School)
One of the top recruits out of Idaho in 2023, he’s a great overall athlete at guard. As the coaching staff moves away from giant interior players and focuses more on length and athletic ability on the interior line, guys like Fullmer will get their shot. He’s got more work to do in the weight room and at the training table, but don’t be surprised to see the ‘Cats field multiple offensive linemen under 300 pounds in the near future.
Alex Key – R-So. – 6’3”, 298 – Derby, Kansas (Derby High School)
Another top 10 recruit out of Kansas, Key was considered the 9th best overall in-state recruit in the 2022 class. He strikes me as a guy that could eventually play center or at either guard spot. He’s probably somewhere in the top 10 in terms of offensive line depth in 2024, and considering his talent, that says a good bit about the guys ahead of him. Turn back the clock a decade or so and Key might start right out of the gate.
Devin Vass – R-Fr. – 6’6”, 280 – Bartow, Florida (Lakeland High School)
Coming out of one of the premier programs in Florida High School Football, Vass is no stranger to big time games. Like Drake Bequeaith, he could play either guard or tackle, but with the emphasis on length, probably slots in at guard considering what the Wildcats brought in at tackle in 2024. He’s a talented guy who played in a bunch of high stakes football games in high school. He’s not ready yet, but he’s got the talent to get ready with another season of lifting and eating.
Kyle Rakers – Fr – 6’3”, 295 – Norwalk, Iowa (Dowling Catholic High School)
Like Alex Key, Rakers future could play center, but he could also slot in at either guard spot. Considered the 10th overall prospect out of Iowa by 247 Sports in 2024, I doubt Rakers sees the field this season, but the two-time first team all-state offensive line should only benefit from his switch from corn to wheat.
The Walk-Ons
I usually leave the walk-ons out of my previews, not out of disrespect, but because the chances of most making an impact are slim…at least at most schools. At Kansas State, walk-ons tend to be a different breed of football player all-together.
If history holds, someone I didn’t mention in this bloated article will go on to start sometime over the next few seasons. Keep guys like Brock Wolf (high school offensive lineman / quarterback), Joe Vickers (Iowa Shrine Bowl Participant), Navarro Schnunke (a walk-on 4* guard (?!?!) and the 2nd best player out of South Dakota in 2024 according to 247 sports), Logan Cox (JuCo walk-on out of Hutchinson by way of Topeka, and Seaman High School), and Michael Capria (a first team all-state guard out of Kansas City, Missouri and Liberty High School) stored in the back of your brain. You might be able to impress your friends when they’re gunning for All-American honors a few years down the line.
Overall
The names have changed from last season, but the standard is the same. Skill position players are great, but Kansas State will always need, at minimum, a good offensive line to be successful. I see good as the floor for this unit, with the potential to be great. I see the floor as great in the near future with the type of recruits this staff continues to bring in year after year.