2001 Kansas State Football Preview
Aug 12, 2001 | Football
July 1, 2001
Manhattan, Kan. - If the adage is true that it's harder to stay at the top than to get there, then the Kansas State Wildcat football team has cleared yet another hurdle.
The Wildcats are continuing their run at the top of the college football world by virtue of becoming only the second team currently riding a four-year string of 11-win seasons and the third team in the history of college football. They are one of only seven current schools that have been to eight consecutive bowl games.
And the 2001 football season opens with the idea that the Wildcats need to prepare for the task of staying among the nation's elite college football programs.
Kansas State will have 40 returning lettermen among the candidates who will lead the team in the upcoming year. Head Coach Bill Snyder will be getting his Wildcats ready for a 2001 schedule that opens with a trip to Southern California and ends with another tough battle in the Big 12 Conference, as K-State has either won or shared the North Division title in each of the last three seasons.
Six starters return on the offense for 2001, including wide receiver Aaron Lockett, who earned All-America honors as a return specialist. Three of those starters are back to form the nucleus of a talented offensive line, and two returnees form a talented and experienced backfield in tailback Josh Scobey and fullback Rock Cartwright.
Offensively, Kansas State faces the prospect of finding a replacement for quarterback Jonathan Beasley, who earned back-to-back MVP honors in the Wildcats' bowl victories the past two seasons and who finished 21-4 as the starter over the past two years.
The Wildcats will also seek some answers at the wide receiver spot, hoping to find some players who can take some pressure off Lockett and afford K-State some targets for what could be another high-powered offense.
Defensively, four starters return from what was a senior-laden group in 2000. But considering that number alone could be deceptive, as the Wildcat defense was deep last year and a number of youngsters gained valuable playing time in key situations.Ben Leber is a veteran linebacker for the Wildcats and will return to provide tremendous leadership for the entire defense. He will be flanked by a pair of talented sophomores - Terry Pierce, who was the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, and Josh Buhl, who seems poised for a breakout season.
Up front, Kansas State needs to find replacements for ends Monty Beisel and Chris Johnson, as well as tackle Mario Fatafehi. Spring drills accounted for important workouts for a young group of defensive linemen who will battle for playing time.
Jon McGraw returns to bolster the secondary from his safety position, while the Wildcats will also take advantage of the experience gained by a number of talented, athletic youngsters who got a great deal of playing time last season.
On special teams, Lockett returns from a 2000 season in which he led the nation in individual punt return average at 22.8. For the first time in recent memory, Kansas State will have to open a season without a returning All-America kicker, as Jamie Rheem finished his career. Incumbent junior Travis Brown will again lead a group of Wildcats who will battle for the punting job.
Kansas State opens its 106th season of football on Sept. 8 when it travels to Southern California. The Wildcats' home opener will be Sept. 15 when they host Louisiana Tech. K-State's 2001 schedule includes defending national champion Oklahoma among five teams that appeared in bowl games last year.
The Wildcats open their sixth season in the Big 12 Conference when they travel to play the Sooners in Norman, Okla., on Sept. 29. The Wildcats also face conference road trips to 2000 bowl participants Texas Tech (Oct. 13), Iowa State (Nov. 3) and Nebraska (Nov. 10).
The 2001 home schedule includes teams that are some of the longest-standing rivals for the Wildcats. KSU Stadium will be the site for the 99th meeting with Kansas (Homecoming on Oct. 27), the 57th meeting all-time with Colorado (Oct. 6) and the 87th meeting with Missouri (Nov. 17).
QUARTERBACKS
LETTERMEN RETURNINGEll Roberson*
LETTERMEN LOSTJonathan Beasley****, Zac Burton*(* - denotes letters won at K-State)
Jonathan Beasley set a high standard of excellence in terms of poise, intelligent play and leadership ability. He finished his K-State career by setting seven school records during his senior season, leading the Wildcats to back-to-back bowl victories for the first time in school history.
Offensive coordinator Ron Hudson will have some talented pupils during spring practice who will be battling to take over for Beasley. Sophomore Ell Roberson (6-1, 190) returns with the most playing time from the 2000 season, having appeared in six games. Roberson is a promising quarterback with outstanding athletic ability, as witnessed by his 168 rushing yards and 5.1 average per carry a year ago. Roberson also threw for a pair of touchdowns during his redshirt-freshman season.
Junior Marc Dunn (6-4, 205) will be among the quarterback candidates for the Wildcats in 2001. He arrived in Manhattan for the spring semester after transferring to K-State from Ricks (Idaho) College, where he was the National Junior College Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Year in 2000. Dunn passed for 4,351 yards and 42 touchdowns as a sophomore at Ricks.
Jeremy Milne (6-0, 210, Sr.) carries the experience of the group as he begins his fourth year in the Kansas State program. Milne has played in eight games for the Wildcats in a reserve role. Sophomore Jeff Schwinn (6-2, 188) will provide some depth.
RUNNING BACKS
LETTERMEN RETURNINGRock Cartwright*, Nick Hoheisel**, Josh Scobey*, Danny Morris*, Rashad Washington*
LETTERMEN LOSTDavid Allen****, Chris Claybon***, Johnno Lazetich**
The return of starters Josh Scobey and Rock Cartwright should give running backs coach Michael Smith some reason for high anticipation in spring 2001.
Scobey (6-0, 205, Sr.) had a breakout season a year ago, earning third team All-Big 12 recognition from the coaches. Scobey was the Wildcats' leading rusher last year with 718 yards and 16 touchdowns. He has both power inside and the agility to slash and create running room on the outside. Scobey rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns on a career-high 28 carries in the Wildcats' Southwestern Bell Cotton Bowl Classic victory. His best game as a Wildcat came with 149 yards and four touchdowns against Iowa State last season.
Opening holes for Scobey much of last season was Cartwright (5-8, 242, Sr.), who emerged as one of the most pleasant surprises from the 2000 season. After arriving on campus just in time for fall practice, Cartwright ended the season with five starts in the final six games and with 278 yards and five touchdowns rushing after averaging 6.0 yards per carry. He has also distinguished himself as a devastating lead blocker both inside and outside for the Wildcats.
Also in the mix at running back will be sophomore Danny Morris (5-11, 200), who distinguished himself on special teams, and sophomore Rashad Washington (6-3, 200), who averaged 7.6 yards per carry in 2000 and who also saw action on the Wildcats' basketball team last season.
Junior Nick Hoheisel (6-1, 230) has earned a pair of letters already in his Wildcat career and will provide leadership at fullback. Sophomore Lance Kramer (6-1, 211) will also be counted on to provide depth at the fullback position.
WIDE RECEIVERS
LETTERMEN RETURNINGBrandon Clark**, Aaron Lockett***, Drew Thalmann***
LETTERMEN LOSTBrice Libel****, Quincy Morgan**, Martez Wesley***
Aaron Lockett (5-7, 165) has been a fixture at the wide-receiver spot for three seasons and begins his senior year in fourth position on the Wildcats' career receiving yards list. With the help of receivers coach Greg Peterson, Lockett has a chance to catch his brother, Kevin, on that chart.
Lockett has 113 catches and 11 touchdown receptions in his career, and is just one of four Wildcats ever to reach the 2,000-yard plateau in a career. Lockett also led K-State in all-purpose yards in 2000, finishing with an average of 18.5 yards each time he touched the ball.
Peterson will have some blending and teaching to do this fall, as he needs to groom some talented but inexperienced youngsters into players who can fill the roles left open by the departure of Quincy Morgan and Martez Wesley.
Sophomore Derrick Evans (5-11, 175) opens the fall behind Lockett at one wide-receiver spot, providing some speed at that position.
Brandon Clark (6-3, 220) brings some experience to the other side of the line, having earned two letters coming into his senior season. Clark had four catches, including a touchdown, a year ago for the Wildcats.
Behind him on the depth chart are senior Chris Devore (6-2, 200) and redshirt freshman Antoine Polite (6-2, 175). Lawrence "Taco" Wallace (6-1, 190) is a transfer from Mount San Antonio College in California who arrived at K-State in time for spring drills.
When the Wildcats do go with three wide receivers in the fall, K-State has a number of weapons to use. Special-teams standout Drew Thalmann (6-2, 190, Sr.) and Ricky Lloyd (5-10, 160) are a pair of seniors who will provide experience, while sophomore LaRoy Bias (6-0, 180) will also see some time.
TIGHT END
LETTERMEN RETURNINGBrian Lamone*, Nick Warren***
LETTERMEN LOSTShad Meier****
Kansas State got solid play last year out of senior Nick Warren (6-7, 255), who comes into his senior season poised to take over for the graduated Shad Meier. Warren had five catches a year ago, but was a valuable blocker up front for the Wildcats and tight ends coach Matt Miller.
Sophomore Thomas Hill (6-5, 256) and junior Brian Lamone (6-4, 235) will be given opportunities to compete for the starting spot and should push Warren.
OFFENSIVE LINE
LETTERMEN RETURNINGThomas Barnett***, Andy Eby**, Nick Leckey*, Matt Martin*, Ben Rettele*, John Robertson**, Steve Washington**
LETTERMEN LOSTBrent Boydston*, Randall Cummins***, Dan Divilbiss*, Grant Reves*, Milford Stephenson****
Three starters return for Kansas State in 2001, and the job of O-line coach Paul Dunn will be to make sure that replacements are ready at the other two positions and that the Wildcats develop some depth for the fall.
Seniors Andy Eby (6-3, 280) and John Robertson (6-4, 291) have had parallel careers after coming to Kansas State after being teammates at Olathe East High School. Eby is expected to open at left guard this fall, with Robertson carrying a 24-game streak of consecutive starts at the right-guard position.
Thomas Barnett (6-5, 290) is the other senior starter back from an offensive line that last year allowed only nine sacks and blocked for a school record-tying 42 rushing touchdowns. Barnett has started 19 of the Wildcats' last 20 games on the offensive line.
Atop the spring depth chart at center is sophomore Nick Leckey (6-4, 285), who was one of two true freshmen along with kicker Jared Brite to see playing time for the Wildcats in 2000. Leckey subbed in at guard for two starts when Eby was injured in the middle of the season.
Battling for the fifth starting spot on the offensive line in the spring are a pair of seniors, Matt Martin (6-5, 270) and Oshin Honarchian (6-5, 290), along with junior Steve Washington (6-4, 315). Martin lettered after seeing action in nine games for Kansas State last year, while Honarchian played in five games. Washington opens the spring on the depth chart at center, but his versatility will have him in the mix for a starting position anywhere on the line.
Players who got valuable reps in the spring to get ready for the fall include sophomore Ben Rettele (6-7, 282), junior Jarvis Miller (6-3, 280) and redshirt freshman Chris Boggas (6-5, 315), who was a first team all-state player in Texas in 1999. Junior Billy Miller (6-6, 275) is among the candidates to provide a reserve role at tackle.
Other players who will be counted on to push the starters will be redshirt freshmen Ryan Schmuecker (6-5, 285) and Mike Johnson (6-4, 275), as well as junior college transfer Dralinn Burks (6-4, 305) from Trinity Valley College in Texas.
DEFENSIVE LINE
LETTERMEN RETURNINGEric Everley**, Andrew Shull*, Jerry Togiai*, Melvin Williams**
LETTERMEN LOSTSteve Altobello**, Monty Beisel**, Mario Fatafehi**, Chris Johnson****, C.W. Klebe*, DeVane Robinson**
The position possibly most affected by graduation after the Wildcats' 11-3 season last year was defensive end. The loss of Monty Beisel and Chris Johnson means assistant coach Bob Fello will open fall drills without two players who combined for 21.5 sacks a year ago.
The spring was an important time for some players to show what they can do in order to get ready for fall drills. Sophomore Thomas Houchin (6-3, 260) will vie for playing time with redshirt freshman Alax Carrier (6-4, 245) at one end this spring. Henry Bryant (6-1, 255, Jr.) is a first team junior college All-American from Garden City CC who will be a factor this fall for the Wildcats. He finished with 103 tackles, including nine sacks, as a sophomore after getting 10 sacks as a freshman.
Junior Melvin Williams (6-3, 255), who had 4.5 sacks and six tackles for loss among his 13 stops last year, is atop the depth chart at the other defensive end position.Sophomore Andrew Shull (6-5, 255) and junior Cory Hoffman (6-5, 275) will provide depth at the end position.
Inside, the departure of first team All-American Mario Fatafehi means defensive tackle coach Mo Latimore needs to find a way to replace 80 tackles and 8.5 sacks off last year's stat chart.
Sophomore Justin Montgomery (6-2, 275) was impressive during spring drills this year and will open fall practice atop the depth chart at one of the tackle spots. He will battle with senior Jerry Togiai (6-4, 295), who had some of his best performances late in the 2000 season. Togiai had a career-high six tackles and a half-sack in the Big 12 Championship game against Oklahoma.
Senior Eric Everley (6-6, 300) has earned a pair of letters in his Wildcat career and will have a chance to be the starter at nose tackle. Redshirt freshman Jerad Cowan (6-4, 290) got valuable reps during spring practice for the Wildcats.
Another talented transfer, junior Tank Reese (5-11, 280) comes to Manhattan from Hutchinson JC, where he finished second in the Kansas Jayhawk Conference with 20 tackles for loss. He also averaged 7.8 tackles per game as an interior lineman.
Transfer Corey White (6-3, 285) is also expected to be in the mix on the interior defensive line. White was a first team All-Southwest Conference pick out of Navarro JC in Texas.
LINEBACKERS
LETTERMEN RETURNINGJosh Buhl*, Andy Klocke**, Ben Leber***, Warren Lott*, Terry Pierce*
LETTERMEN LOSTDa'Von Brame**, Jason Kazar***, Simon Van Boening*, Turelle Williams****
The most experience on the defense returns at the linebacker position for assistant coach Jim Gush. The three returnees - seniors Ben Leber (6-4, 250) and Warren Lott (6-3, 230) along with sophomore Terry Pierce (6-3, 250) - combined to get 20 starts a year ago.
Leber has lettered for three seasons at Kansas State, and the fact that he was a team captain as a junior and will serve his second year as a team representative speaks of his leadership ability. He finished sixth on the team in tackles last year with 55, including 14 tackles for loss. He was a second team All-Big 12 selection by both the coaches and the Associated Press a year ago.
Lott finished just behind Leber on the tackle chart with 49 stops last season. He was successful in getting a waiver from the NCAA, which provided him the chance to return for a final tour with the Wildcats.
Pierce lived up to his billing as an outstanding linebacker prospect in 2000, being named by the league's coaches as the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year. The sophomore was also an Academic All-Big 12 pick and earned the honor from his coaches as being the Most Improved Defensive Player a year ago.
The spring provided a good chance for some talented youngsters to gain valuable time at the linebacker position.
Sophomore Josh Buhl (6-0, 200) opens the fall in the No. l spot at one of the linebacker positions after a good spring. He lettered as a redshirt freshman for the Wildcats in 2000.
Junior Andy Klocke (6-2, 220) has lettered twice thus far based on his prowess on special teams. Sophomore Bryan Hickman (6-3, 220) is also expected to open the spring with a high position on the depth chart.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
LETTERMEN RETURNINGDeMarcus Faggins*, Jon McGraw***, Terence Newman**, Milton Proctor***, DeRon Tyler**, Derrick Yates*
LETTERMEN LOSTThane Bernbeck**, Jerametrius Butler***, Dyshod Carter****, Jarrod Cooper****
Defensive coordinator Phil Bennett is able to reap a dual benefit by playing so many Wildcats in the secondary during games. First, his multiple sets confuse opponents when K-State goes to nickel and dime packages, sometimes to open games. Second, he is able to get valuable time for a large number of players in key situations so he has some experienced help ready to step up when he loses veterans to graduation.
That should be the case again in 2001, as the Wildcats having only one returning starter in the secondary belies the notion that K-State will lack experience in that group.Senior Jon McGraw (6-3, 200) is the leading returning tackler for the Wildcats. One of a number of three-year lettermen, McGraw will return at a safety spot after a junior season that included 81 tackles, a team-high 57 solo tackles, 10 tackles for loss, two sacks and three interceptions.
Senior Derrick Yates (6-2, 185) opens the fall behind McGraw on the depth chart after being tabbed by the league's coaches as the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year.Three-year letterman Milton Proctor (6-0, 200) begins his senior season atop a grouping at strong safety that will attempt to take over for Jarrod Cooper, who earned postseason honors in all four of his seasons. Sophomore Alan Walker (6-1, 180) is expected to be in the mix as a reserve safety along with juniors Brandon Solt (6-3, 170) and Chris Post (6-2, 200).
Kansas State lost a pair of outstanding cornerbacks with the graduation of Dyshod Carter and the departure of Jerametrius Butler, who declared his eligibility for the NFL Draft. But a wealth of talent will be in the rotation for time on the corner during the spring.Senior DeRon Tyler (5-8, 170) has earned a pair of letters for the Wildcats, and will battle with senior DeMarcus Faggins (5-11, 175) for one cornerback position.
Junior Terence Newman (5-11, 185) is also a two-year letterman who opens the spring looking for a starting spot at the corner. Newman has been impressive in the past few months for the Kansas State track and field team, having set indoor school records in the 60- and 200-meter dash, and an outdoor school record while winning the Big 12 Conference title in the 100-meter dash.
Junior James Dunnigan (5-8, 180) is one of three junior-college transfers who arrived for the spring semester at K-State. Dunnigan, who played for a year at Purdue, came to the Wildcats from Garden City CC.
Sophomore Travis Horchem (5-10, 184) will provide depth at strong safety this fall.
SPECIALISTS
LETTERMEN RETURNINGAaron Lockett***, Jared Brite*, Travis Brown**, Neil Gosch**, Mike Ronsick**
LETTERMEN LOSTJamie Rheem****
Aaron Lockett took over the punt-return job when David Allen was hurt early in the 2000 season and never let go. He led the nation with an average of 22.8 yards per punt return and scored three touchdowns on returns for the Wildcats.
Lockett also finished the year with 312 yards on 14 kick returns (22.3 avg), and K-State will be looking for someone to share those duties with him this year. Terence Newman, who had three kick returns last year and who scored a touchdown on a blocked punt, looks to be a solid choice after having set three Wildcat school records on the track and field team.
For the first time in a while, the place-kicking job is up for grabs. For the past few seasons, the Wildcats have had an All-American or All-Big 12 player returning in either Martin Gramatica or Jamie Rheem, but the graduation of Rheem leaves a job opening.
Sophomore Jared Brite (6-2, 185) was 5-for-5 on extra-point kicks when he got a chance as a true freshman in 2000, while junior Kyle Altvater (5-9, 170) also got some attempts this spring. Brite was also a pitcher on the Wildcat baseball team this spring. It is possible that a familiar name could be in the battle for the kicking spot, though, as Joe Rheem (6-2, 210, Fr.) is the brother of Jamie and comes to Manhattan off a year when he was a Parade Magazine high school All-American.
Junior Travis Brown (6-4, 215) will be the incumbent when work starts on selecting a punter during the fall. Also in the battle will be junior-college transfer Rick Gerla (6-1, 210), who arrived in time for the spring semester from Blinn College in Texas. Brite and senior Mike Ronsick (6-2, 190) will also have a chance to win the punting job for 2001.
Roster Breakdown
OFFENSE
STARTERS RETURNING (6)LG Andy Eby, RG John Robertson, RT Thomas Barnett,RB Josh Scobey, FB Rock Cartwright, WR Aaron Lockett.
STARTERS LOST (5)WR Quincy Morgan, LT Milford Stephenson,C Randall Cummins, TE Shad Meier, QB Jonathan Beasley
LETTERWINNERS RETURNING (19)
LETTERWINNERS LOST (13)
DEFENSE
STARTERS RETURNING (3)LB Ben Leber, LB Terry Pierce, FS Jon McGraw.
STARTERS LOST (8)DE Monty Beisel, DE Chris Johnson, DT Mario Fatafehi,DT DeVane Robinson, LB Jason Kazar, CB Dyshod Carter,CB Jerametrius Butler, SS Jarrod Cooper.
LETTERWINNERS RETURNING (16)
LETTERWINNERS LOST (13)
SPECIALISTS
STARTERS RETURNING (4)PR/KR Aaron Lockett, P Travis Brown, LS Neil Gosch,H Mike Ronsick.
STARTERS LOST (1)PK Jamie Rheem.
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