Drew breaks down the first Wildcat depth chart. Avery and DJ return but there are plenty of new faces on the field Saturday.
WE HAVE A DEPTH CHART!
Our long hot summer of wandering in the sports wilderness without the oasis of college football is almost at an end! Like Persephone returning from the underworld, the first depth chart of the fall breaths life back into a barren sports landscape.
LET’S TALK ABOUT SOME ACTUAL FOOTBALL!
Offense
WR
#10 – Kegan Johnson – 6’0”, 206 – Jr. – Bellevue, Neb (Univ. of Iowa)
#0 – Jadon Jackson – 6’1”, 187 – Sr. – Centeron, Ark (Univ. of Mississippi)
or
#8 – Ty Bowman – 6’5”, 220 – Sr. – Chanute, Kan (Chanute)
TE
#86 – Garrett Oakley – 6’5”, 239 – So. – Columbus, Neb (Scotus Central Catholic)
#87 – Brayden Loftin – 6’5”, 237 – So. – Omaha, Neb (Lewis Central (IA))
LT
#71 – Easton Kilty – 6’6”, 307 – Sr. – Stamford, Wis (University of North Dakota)
#78 – John Pastore – 6’6”, 303 – So. – Erie, Colo (Erie)
LG
#54 – Hadley Panzer – 6’4”, 305 – Sr. – Lakin, Kan (Lakin)
#56 – Andrew Leingang – 6’6”, 306 – Jr. – Bismark, N.D. (Century)
C
#75 – Sam Hecht – 6’4”, 287 – Jr. – Shawnee, Kan (Mill Valley)
#66 – Michael Capria – 6’2”, 295 – So. – Liberty, Mo (Liberty)
RG
#69 – Taylor Poitier – 6’3”, 305 – Sr. – Kansas City, Kan. (Bishop Miege)
#56 – Andrew Leingang – 6’6”, 306 – Jr. – Bismark, N.D. (Century)
or
#74 – Alex Key – 6’3”, 298 – So. – Derby, Kan (Derby)
RT
#77 – Carver Willis – 6’5”, 291 – Sr. – Durango, Colo (Durango)
#53 – Drake Bequeath – 6’6”, 292 – So. – Colleyville, Texas (Grapevine)
TE
#83 – Will Swanson – 6’5”, 251 – Sr. – Papillion, Neb (La Vista South)
#80 – Will Anciaux – 6’6”, 246 – Fr. – Wichita, Kan (Kapaun Mt. Carmel)
#81 – Andrew Metzger – 6’5”, 248 – Fr. – Auroa, Colo (Regis Jesuit)
QB
#2 – Avery Johnson – 6’2”, 192 – So. – Wichita, Kan (Maize)
#5 – Ta’Quan Roberson – 6’0”, 201 – Sr. – Orange, J.J. (Univ. of Connecticut)
or
#7 – Jacob Knuth – 6’3”, 213 – So. – Sioux Falls, S.D. (Univ. of Minnesota)
RB
#31 – DJ Giddens – 6’1”, 212 – Jr. – Junction City, Kan (Junction)
#4 – Joe Jackson – 6’0”, 203 – Fr. – Haines City, Fla (Ridge Community)
RB
#3 – Dylan Edwards – 5’9”, 167 – So. – Derby, Kan (Univ of Colorado)
or
#47 – La’James White – 5’7”, 196 – Jr. – Kansas City, Kan (Air Force)
WR
#1 – Jayce Brown – 6’0”, 179 – So. – Fort Walton Beach, Fla (Choctawhatchee)
#6 – Sterling Locket – 5’10”, 170 – So. – Leawood, Kan (Blue Valley)
WR
#14 – Dante Cephas – 6’0”, 193 – Sr. – Pittsburgh, Pa. (Penn State Univ.)
#12 – Tre Spivey – 6’4”, 217 – Fr. – Chandler, Ariz (Hamilton)
Notes:
- The backup quarterback spot is still up for grabs. I think it’s more situational than anything. If Avery has to miss any substantial time, I expect the more experienced Roberson to take the starting job. If Coach Riley wants to put in a more powerful runner in on short yardage plays and save Avery the abuse, Knuth is perfect option.
- This is by far the best wide receiver depth chart, top to bottom, that I’ve covered in my time writing about K-State. My only gripe is that Cephas and Johnson are a little redundant in terms of skill set. Hopefully Spivey can provide a bigger target for Avery off the bench.
- Listing two running back positions is interesting, but it looks like DJ and Joe Jackson will be considered the “primary” back while Edwards and White play more of a 3rd down / scat back role. I’ll be eager to see how often they’re 2-backs on the field together, but that might be a wrinkle they hold back for a different opponent.
- No real surprises on the offensive line. If things go according to plan, you’ll see the full array of offensive line talent on Saturday. When games start getting bigger, expect the rotation to shrink substantially.
- The coaching staff threw me off by listing 2 tight ends. If you read the previous version of this article, I talk about Oakley being out (which surprised me). As everyone can plainly see, Garrett Oakley is safe, secure, and comfortably at the top of the depth chart. He’s the most well rounded of the K-State options. According to the coaching staff, Brayden Loftin closed hard in fall camp and is playing the best football of his K-State career. There aren’t any proven commodities on the depth chart, but you figure one of these guys is going to hit, because there is talent.