2002 Wildcat Football Preview
Aug 21, 2002 | Football
Aug. 21, 2002
Aug. 17, 2002
MANHATTAN, Kan. - The Kansas State coaching staff has been in this situation before. This time, though, the process of returning to a place among college football's elite programs won't be nearly as arduous.
Kansas State enters the 2002 football season coming off a 6-6 record. Wildcat coaches, players and fans have gotten to the point where they hope for better seasons.
Still, Kansas State also enters the 2002 football season as one of only seven schools that have made nine consecutive trips to postseason bowl games. And that means the return to the successes of the past will be much shorter than the turnaround the program made under Head Coach Bill Snyder in the early 1990s.
Offensively, Kansas State will seek to improve the balance in its attack between running and passing. In 2001, the Wildcats set school records for rushing as a team, including Josh Scobey's romp to the single-season rushing record. The Wildcats smashed the previous school record for team rushing yards per game by 30 yards, averaging 257.7 yards per game in 2001.
The offensive line opens the new year with a player in each position who has at least one start in their career. The versatility, depth and flexibility gained in a 2001 season that forced the Wildcats into a number of different starting lineups will hopefully benefit the offensive line in the new year.
Kansas State returns a pair of experienced quarterbacks in Ell Roberson and Marc Dunn. Each has worked hard through spring practice to improve their skills and will enter fall workouts with an eye toward making the offense more balanced and more consistent.
In the backfield, sophomore Darren Sproles gained valuable experience during the spring and should battle junior Danny Morris for the top spot at tailback. Travis Wilson, who sat out the 2001 season after transferring from Michigan State, will give the Wildcats another in a line of talented fullbacks.
The Wildcats will have a number of candidates to choose from at the wide-receiver spot, and some decisions will come regarding the two-deep at receiver during fall practices.
Defensively, the Wildcats have continued a five-year string of finishing among the top five in the nation in total defense. K-State has six of its seven positions in the defensive front manned by a returnee, including All-America candidate Terry Pierce at middle linebacker. All four starters in the defensive line return, defensive tackle Tank Reese, who became the third straight Wildcat to be voted by the league's coaches as the Big 12 Conference Defensive Newcomer of the Year.
Thorpe Award semifinalist Terence Newman returns for his senior season as an anchor in the secondary. Newman will patrol one corner and will use his leadership ability to assist some talented and promising candidates at the other corner and at both safety positions.
The 2002 home schedule includes three programs among the top 10 in the nation in all-time college football wins The 107th season of football at Kansas State opens on Aug. 31 with Western Kentucky. Also on the home schedule are Louisiana-Monroe, Eastern Illinois, Oklahoma State and Iowa State. K-State's road trips in 2002 all come during conference play and see the Wildcats traveling to Colorado, Baylor, Kansas and Missouri. OFFENSIVE LINE LETTERMEN RETURNING LETTERMEN LOST Despite a rash of injuries that forced Kansas State to use nine different starters and eight different combinations in 12 games, the offensive line led the way for Josh Scobey to rush for a school-record 1,263 yards, leading the way to the team rushing record. Junior Nick Leckey (6-4, 285) is the lone Wildcat to have started all 12 games in the same position last year, providing some stability at left guard. Leckey played for the Wildcats as a true freshman in 2000 and moved into a starting role in 2001. Mike Johnson (6-4, 280, Soph.) is in the mix for a starting position at the other guard along with junior Ben Rettele (6-7, 305) and junior transfer Jesse Keaulana-Kamakea (6-3, 270). Senior Steve Washington (6-4, 315) started nine games last year at center for the Wildcats, including the final six straight. Washington has already won three letters in football at K-State. Until breaking into the starting lineup as a junior, Washington was a valuable backup at the interior offensive line spots. At tackle, Kansas State expects to regain the services of Thomas Barnett (6-5, 290, Sr.), who missed the entire 2001 season with an injury. Barnett started all 14 games in 2000, 10 of the 12 games in 1999 and the last five games of his redshirt freshman season in 1998. Barnett, another three-year letterman, has been part of offenses in those seasons that have generated more than 40 points per game. At the other tackle spot, senior Billy Miller (6-6, 275) is expected to open the fall at the top spot after starting the final three games of last season at right tackle. Miller redshirted in 2000 after transferring from El Camino (Calif.) College. Dralinn Burks (6-4, 305, Sr.), who switched from defensive line to offensive line due to last year's rash of injuries, is also expected to contend for the starting spot at right tackle. Burks started the Kansas and Iowa State games at right tackle, and was in the starting lineup in the Insight.com Bowl against Syracuse. Jon Doty (6-8, 270, Soph.), a converted tight end, and junior-college transfer Peni Holakeituai (6-6, 310, Jr.) will add depth at the tackle positions, with sophomore Ryan Schmuecker (6-5, 285) among the backup candidates at center. QUARTERBACKS LETTERMEN RETURNING LETTERMEN LOST Both Ell Roberson (6-1, 205, Jr.) and Marc Dunn (6-4, 205, Sr.) return in 2002, giving Kansas State a pair of experienced players at quarterback as the new season opens. Roberson was Kansas State's second-leading rusher a year ago, with his 643 yards ranking second behind only Michael Bishop in rushing yards by a Wildcat QB. Roberson had four 100-yard rushing games last year, the most in a season by a K-State quarterback and tying Bishop for the career mark after only two seasons. Roberson threw for 855 yards for the Wildcats and started 10 of Kansas State's 12 games in 2001. He led K-State in total offense a year ago, including a 372-yard day at Oklahoma that ranked 10th on the Wildcats' single-game total offense list. He threw for 257 yards in that game against the Sooners. Dunn enters his senior year with the Wildcats having thrown for 635 yards and four touchdowns in his nine appearances during the regular season. He started two games for Kansas State in 2001, opening games against Texas Tech and Kansas. Dunn threw for two touchdowns and ran for another against the Jayhawks in the Governors' Trophy matchup. He also had a strong effort against Texas A&M when he engineered two fourth-quarter touchdown drives that nearly brought the ?Cats back from a big deficit. The spring was a time to gauge the continued improvement of junior Jeff Schwinn (6-2, 188), who has been of great value on the Wildcats' scout teams for two seasons. RUNNING BACKS LETTERMEN RETURNING LETTERMEN LOST The 2002 season opens with the Wildcats having to replace outstanding players at both running-back positions with the graduation of tailback Josh Scobey and fullback Rock Cartwright. Scobey had the best season ever by a rusher at Kansas State, running for 1,263 yards and 15 touchdowns in the regular season. He led the Big 12 Conference in all-purpose yards a year ago, finishing with a 124.5 average per game. Cartwright was outstanding as a lead blocker for Scobey, but also distinguished himself as an offensive weapon in his own right with 292 yards rushing and 15 catches for 108 yards. Still, Kansas State had one of its best recruiting years ever at running back a year ago and those candidates, along with the continued improvement of Danny Morris (5-11, 200, Jr.), could keep the Wildcat offense humming in 2002. Morris will battle for the starting spot after averaging 6.2 yards on his 28 carries as a sophomore last year. His best game of last season was a 54-yard effort on 11 carries against New Mexico State. Darren Sproles (5-7, 170, Soph.) was another pleasant surprise in 2001, as he showed amazing potential and speed as a true freshman. Sproles was limited by injuries to only six games in the regular season, but he was able to gain 210 yards by virtue of his 7.5 yards per carry. Daniel Davis (6-0, 215, Jr.) transferred to K-State from Garden City CC and arrived on campus in time to participate in spring drills. As a freshman, he led the University of North Carolina in rushing before heading to Garden City. Travis Wilson (6-4, 240, Jr.) had to take 2001 off after transferring from Michigan State. Wilson, voted a team captain by his teammates for the 2002 season, is expected to open at fullback. Three-year letterman Nick Hoheisel (6-1, 230, Sr.) will push Wilson for playing time, as will redshirt freshmen Ayo Saba (6-0, 260) and Victor Mann (6-2, 230). WIDE RECEIVERS LETTERMEN RETURNING LETTERMEN LOST The Wildcats begin 2002 after losing the top six players on the receptions list from last year's team. Among those graduating were Aaron Lockett, a four-year fixture at wide receiver, Ricky Lloyd, who averaged more than 15 yards per catch on his 20 catches last year, and Brandon Clark, who had 19 catches and an 18.2 average in 2001. Kansas State will spend time during fall workouts making some decisions among the wide receiver spots. Leading the returnees are junior Derrick Evans (5-11, 175) and senior Taco Wallace (6-1, 190), the only returnees at receiver who had a catch in 2001. Evans had two catches last year, including a 72-yarder for a touchdown from Ell Roberson against New Mexico State. It was the longest pass completion by K-State during the 2001 season. Wallace, who was nagged by injuries last year, had both his catches against Texas A&M. Davin Dennis (6-1, 175, Fr.) impressed coaches with his ability and work ethic during his redshirt season, and was one of the most pleasant surprises of the spring. K-State had an outstanding recruiting season at wide receiver, adding three of the most talented JuCo receivers in the nation. John Cooper (6-3, 190) comes to Manhattan from Pasadena City College, Tony Madison (6-3, 195) was recruited from Highland Community College and James Terry (6-5, 180) is a new Wildcat from Butler County CC. That group will be backed up by sophomore Antoine Polite (6-2, 180) and senior Jerry McCloud (5-9, 170), who spent some of his offseason running on the Wildcats' track and field team. McCloud made his mark on the track record books during the spring 2002 indoor season, running a 6.95 in the 60-meter dash that ranked sixth all-time at K-State. TIGHT END LETTERMEN RETURNING LETTERMEN LOST Nick Warren filled in extremely well after 2000 starter Shad Meier was taken in that year's NFL Draft by Tennessee. In his senior season, Warren was a steadying influence on a battered offensive line, finished fourth on the team with 16 catches and was one of the Wildcats' most solid senior leaders. His departure opens the door for an outstanding battle for the starting spot at tight end. Senior Brian Lamone (6-4, 250) has lettered for two seasons as mostly a special-teams standout. Junior Thomas Hill (6-5, 255) had one catch last year, but has excellent athleticism. Also among the candidates with great athleticism is junior Travon Magee (6-7, 265), who redshirted a year ago but could provide a 6-foot-7, 265-pound target for the Wildcat passing game in 2002. Brian Casey (6-7, 270) is a sophomore who will also be in the mix for time at tight end. DEFENSIVE LINE LETTERMEN RETURNING LETTERMEN LOST A group that returned only one player who had started a game prior to the 2001 season now returns basically intact and very deep for the fall of 2002. Only one senior, Jerry Togiai, leaves a defensive line that allowed just 96.5 yards rushing and six rushing touchdowns in the 2001 regular season. Headlining the returnees is senior Tank Reese (5-11, 280), who was voted the Big 12 Conference Defensive Newcomer of the Year. Reese finished sixth on the team with 49 tackles, tops among defensive lineman last year. Reese also had seven tackles for loss and seven quarterback hurries as a defensive tackle. Justin Montgomery (6-2, 281, Jr.) opens the spring atop the depth chart at nose tackle, having started seven games on the defensive line a year ago. He finished second on the team in quarterback hurries with 11 in the nine games in which he played. Junior Corey White (6-3, 285) is expected to battle for the defensive tackle spots. Henry Bryant (6-1, 255, Sr.) was another defensive newcomer who had a strong first season in Manhattan a year ago. He started all 12 games at a defensive end spot and finished the season with 47 tackles, including a team-high 24 assists. Bryant had a season-high six tackles against Nebraska and finished the year with three sacks. Melvin Williams (6-3, 270) is back for his senior season after missing four games with injuries last year. Despite playing in only seven games, Williams had seven tackles for loss and led the team with 12 quarterback hurries. Andrew Shull (6-5, 260, Jr.) also missed time due to injury, but had 30 tackles in the five games in which he played. Thomas Houchin (6-3, 260, Jr.) started two games for the Wildcats and is the fourth player at defensive end who played well in 2001 and returns for the new season. LINEBACKERS LETTERMEN RETURNING LETTERMEN LOST Two starters return at linebacker for the Wildcats in 2002, but four-year letterman Ben Leber will not return after an outstanding senior season. Leber, who was one of six Wildcats taken during the NFL Draft in April, led Kansas State in tackles (73), tackles for loss (15) and sacks (5.5). Still, linebacker looks to be one of the strengths of the defense in 2002 with the return of Terry Pierce (6-3, 250, Jr.) in the middle and Josh Buhl (6-0, 210, Jr.) on the outside. Pierce and Buhl are the leading returning tacklers on the defense, each finishing third on the team with 68 tackles last year. Pierce has earned enough respect from his teammates in only a short time in Manhattan that they voted him a team captain last year as only a sophomore. He was a freshman All-American in 2000 and is a preseason All-America prospect for 2002. He has outstanding speed and good size at 6-foot-3, 250 pounds. Buhl saved his best games for the end of the regular season a year ago, having 13 tackles against Nebraska and a team-high 10 against Missouri. Buhl made nine starts for the Wildcats as a sophomore in 2001. Filling the other outside linebacker spot will be one of the best battles of the fall, as senior Andy Klocke (6-2, 220) and junior Bryan Hickman (6-3, 220) compete for the position. Klocke, a three-year letterman, has distinguished himself on special teams as a Wildcat, but had a season-high five tackles against New Mexico State a year ago. Hickman had a start in place of an injured Buhl against Texas A&M and had a season-high four tackles at home against Colorado. Senior Drew Thon (6-1, 230), talented sophomore Maurice Thurmond (6-2, 215) and redshirt freshman Matt Butler (6-2, 220) are expected to push the starters at linebacker during the fall. DEFENSIVE BACKS LETTERMEN RETURNING LETTERMEN LOST Senior Terence Newman (5-11, 185) caught national attention with his outstanding play in 2001, gaining enough respect to be a late addition as a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award, given to the nation's top defensive back. Newman will return after starting all 12 games at one corner last year and finishing the season fifth on the team in tackles with 51 and leading the team with 14 pass breakups. He also used his speed to block two kicks a year ago. James Dunnigan (5-8, 180, Sr.) could emerge from fall workouts with the starting nod at the other corner. He played in nine games last year after transferring to K-State from Garden City Community College. Dunnigan also played at Purdue University in 1999, getting eight starts as a sophomore. Behind those players at cornerback are sophomore transfer David Rose (5-18, 180), junior returnee Travis Horchem (5-18, 184) and junior transfer Louis Lavender (6-0, 185). Kansas State lost both starters at the safety position, including senior free safety Jon McGraw who was a fixture in the defensive backfield the past couple seasons, and strong safeties Derrick Yates and Milton Proctor. Senior Bobby Walker (6-1, 195) has shown a great deal of promise both last season and in the off-season. He had a 9-yard interception last year against Iowa State and could open the fall atop the list at free safety. He will be pushed for the job by redshirt freshman Jesse Tetuan (6-0, 185). Rashad Washington (6-3, 210, Jr.) has successfully made the transition from running back to defensive back and finished the spring atop the depth chart at strong safety. Washington had seven tackles a year ago, including four at Nebraska. Redshirts Marcus Patton (6-1, 210, So.) and converted running back Carlos Alsup (6-1, 195, Fr.) could challenge Washington for that spot this fall. SPECIALISTS LETTERMEN RETURNING LETTERMEN LOST Aaron Lockett became the first Kansas State player ever to gain at least 4,000 all-purpose yards in his career. He gave Kansas State a threat to score on every return opportunity for the past two seasons, getting four kick returns for scores over the past two years. Terence Newman, whose national-class speed has been witnessed in Big 12 Conference championships both indoors and outdoors in track and field, and Darren Sproles are expected to get a chance to earn the jobs on punt and kick returns. Joe Rheem (6-2, 210, Soph.), who was called on to solidify the Wildcats' place-kicking job midway through the 2001 season, finished his true freshman year in third place on the team in scoring with 32 points. He finished by hitting 4 of 6 field goals and 20 of 22 extra-point kicks over the final six regular-season games. He will be challenged for the kicking job by junior Wade Waltman (6-0, 200, Jr.) and Jared Brite (6-2, 185, Jr.). Travis Brown (6-4, 215) averaged 43.4 yards on 14 punts as a junior for the Wildcats and is one of the players who will battle for the punting job. Over three seasons, Brown has averaged 38.8 yards on 86 punts, with 26 of those pinning opponents inside the 20-yard line. Brite, who averaged 40.7 on 18 punts, and junior redshirt Rick Gerla (6-1, 210) are also expected to compete for the punting position. K-State must replace reliable long snapper Neil Gosch for the 2002 season. Sophomores Russ Vanover (6-1, 185), Ryan Guthrie (6-1, 220) and tight-end candidate Brian Casey are among those who will be given the opportunity. ---ksu---
? Thomas Barnett***, Dralinn Burks*, Nick Leckey**, Billy Miller*, Ben Rettele*, Steve Washington***
? Andy Eby***, Matt Martin**, John Robertson***
(* - denotes letters won at K-State)
? Marc Dunn*, Ell Roberson**
? Jeremy Milne**
? Nick Hoheisel***, Lance Kramer*, Danny Morris**, Darren Sproles*
? Rock Cartwright**, Joe Hall**, Josh Scobey**
? None
? Brandon Clark***, Chris Devore*, Ricky Lloyd*, Aaron Lockett****, Drew Thalmann****
? Thomas Hill*, Brian Lamone**
? Nick Warren****
? Henry Bryant*, Alax Carrier*, Eric Everley**, Cory Hoffman*, Thomas Houchin*, Justin Montgomery*, Tank Reese*, Andrew Shull**, Corey White*, Melvin Williams***
? Jerry Togiai**
? Josh Buhl**, Bryan Hickman*, Andy Klocke***, Terry Pierce**, Maurice Thurmond*
? Ben Leber****, Chad Wallerstedt*
? Bobby Walker*, James Dunnigan*, Terence Newman***, Brandon Solt*
? DeMarcus Faggins**, Jon McGraw****, Milton Proctor****, DeRon Tyler***
? Jared Brite**, Travis Brown***, Joe Rheem*
? Neil Gosch***, Aaron Lockett****
