DJ Giddens highlights just a stellar group of backs for the Wildcats.
If you’ve been following along in the leadup to the season, it’s become rather apparent that the 2024 Kansas State Wildcats roster is maybe the most talented through the depth chart it’s been since the late-90’s heyday. And the running backs room is no exception.
The man under center and the new addition to the running back corps in the offseason may have caught most of the off-season headlights, but junior DJ Giddens returns after becoming just the fourth Wildcat running back since 1989 to open his debut season as the starter with a 1,000 season. He joins Eric Gallon, Darren Sproles, and Daniel Thomas in that elite category. It also marked just the third time since 1989 with three-straight seasons of 1,000 rushers (all positions), after Deuce Vaughn broke the millennium mark in 2021 and 2022.
Giddens is a power back that learned a few moves from the elusive Vaughn, and has enough speed to be a breakaway threat if he can make it to open field. He was an absolute machine, and despite a 5.5ypc average on paper, seemed like he was good for 10 yards or more every few times he touched the football. He was also an underrated threat out of the backfield, averaging 11.1 yards per reception and catching three TD passes as the Wildcats 4th receiver in total yards.
But not satisfied with just one of the best backs in college football, the coaching staff went out in the offseason and reeled in fellow Sunflower State prep star Dylan Edwards out of the transfer portal. Edwards, a true sophomore, grabbed headlines for the wrong reasons in 2023 for committing to the Wildcats out of high school, then switching his commitment to Notre Dame then Colorado.
Edwards opened his freshman season in Boulder with a big bang, rushing just 6 times for 24 yards and a touchdown — his only rushing score of the year — but also snagging 135 yards on five receptions and three scores as a receiver against TCU in the season opener. But Edwards’ usage never ramped up, and he saw his most action in a win over Colorado State and then a couple weeks later a loss to USC. He recorded just one more touchdown last year, a receiving TD in the season finale against Utah.
What Edwards brings to the Wildcats is the lightning to Giddens thunder. There is no doubt that Edwards is fast, one of the fastest players on the team, and has the footwork to make him slippery in the open field. Look for new offensive coordinator Matt Wells to look for ways to keep both Giddens and Edwards on the field, even if one or both is spread out wide. And just because they might be spread out wide doesn’t mean they won’t be rushers, with jet sweeps and reverses a constant threat to opposing defenses.
And when those two need a break there’s solid depth waiting to go. Redshirt-freshman Joe Jackson has received rave reviews from those who have observed him in practice, and the Florida-native will look to start generating carries in his third season in Manhattan. He’s joined on the two-deep by La’James White, a redshirt-junior who is in his third season in Manhattan as a walk-on, after initially heading to Colorado Springs to attend the Air Force Academy. White is eerily reminiscent of Darren Sproles in both stature and running ability, though a tick or two slower on the stopwatch. Maybe the biggest surprise on the first depth chart of the season was that White didn’t appear in the rotation at on of the return spots.
Finishing out the depth in the running back room is a pair of true freshmen in JB Price and DeVon Rice. Both were three-star recruits with other Power 4 offers, and while not expected to see any action this season, will be important pieces for the future. Price, out of Stilwell, KS, picked the Cats over offers from Iowa, Oklahoma State, and KU, and joins former high school teammates Sterling Lockett and Andre Davis on the Wildcats roster. Rice comes to K-State out of prep powerhouse Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas, choosing the Wildcats over BYU, Colorado, Texas A&M, and Hawaii. Easily the most surprising is BYU, as Rice’s father Rodeny Rice played for the Cougars. His brother Quentin Rice, a receiver, started his career at BYU, but elected to hit the transfer portal after last season and has joined is younger brother in Manhattan.
Overall, this unit is high on star power at the top, but is strong and capable throughout. With Edwards available and Avery Johnson’s running ability from the QB spot, it’s going to be tough for Giddens to break the 1,000-yard mark again. But it wouldn’t be unexpected to see the trio to collect 2,000 or more as a group.