SE: Risner, Shelley Ready to Bring Versatility, Edge to the NFL
Apr 29, 2019 | Football, Sports Extra
By Corbin McGuire
In two separate conference calls on two different days of the NFL Draft, a second-round pick to the Denver Broncos and a sixth-round pick to the Chicago Bears spoke similarly in what they will bring to their teams.
Those two players: Dalton Risner and Duke Shelley, respectively.
K-State's two NFL Draft picks this year — who extended the program's streak with at least one player selected to a Big 12-best 26 years in a row — both said they would come into camp with a team-first mentality, centered on competitiveness and versatility.
Risner said he's willing to play wherever the Denver Broncos see him fitting best on the offensive line. Whether that's center or even guard. Whether that order comes from head coach Vic Fangio or offensive line coach Mike Munchak, Risner said he's not hung up on playing the right tackle spot that he spent his last three seasons at as a Wildcat, including a First Team All-American season as a senior.
"Wherever they want me, that is where I am going to play," Risner said Friday night, after the Colorado native was picked by his childhood team in the second round, No. 41 overall. "Obviously, I'm not going to come in somewhere having the intention of being a backup, I would like to come in and have an immediate impact."
There's no questioning Risner's versatility to do so.
He spent almost his entire life playing center, including his redshirt freshman season at K-State that ended with him earning Freshman All-America honors. In practices, then-K-State offensive line coach Charlie Dickey made it common for his offensive linemen to learn all five positions. Dickey's approach has paid dividends for linemen like B.J. Finney and Cody Whitehair, each playing different positions in the NFL than they did, predominantly, at K-State.
Risner is prepared to be another example.
"It's just something that I became comfortable with," the 6-foot-5 Wiggins, Colorado native said. "I played a lot, and whenever you do that for five years in a row, just playing every position, it gives you the comfortability to move across the line. I feel like I have the size and measurables to do that as well."
Shelley, a sixth-round pick by the Bears at No. 205 overall, spent almost all of his time at K-State as a cornerback on the outside. The two-time All-Big 12 honoree started 37 games in four years, with an injury his senior year cutting that number short. But, as a 5-foot-9 defensive back in the NFL, Shelley said he's ready to take on the slot position if that's where he ends up. Like Risner, he'll do what he's asked to do to the best of his abilities.
"If they need me inside, I'll go in the slot," he said. "If they need me outside, I'll go play on the outside. Whatever the team needs, I'm here to fill that void for them and go out there and make plays and do the best I can. Wherever coach puts me, that's where I'm going."
Shelley did play some inside at K-State. Occasionally, he was asked to cover a receiver wherever he lined up on the field. Sometimes a formation forced him inside. He said it's not a position he's unfamiliar with or unconfident in playing at the next level.
"I can play the slot, 100 percent. I know it well, like the back of my hand," he said. "I can play corner on the outside. I've been doing that for four-straight years at Kansas State. I'm very versatile in that area."
Regardless what position eventually gets tagged to their names on the roster, both Wildcats said they plan to bring a drive to prepare to play at a high level. It's what they did at K-State, which led to them to success and a chance to make a living at what they love. They don't plan to change the formula now.
"I just take pride in playing with an edge," Risner said. "Every time I am out there on the field, I am not out there to make any friends. I am out there to play this game of football, and it is a job, especially now being a professional athlete."
"I'm going to work harder than anybody around me," Shelley added. "I take that very seriously. I'm a competitor. I'm going to compete every play. I don't like balls getting caught on me. I don't care if it's one yard or five. I like competing. I like to compete all the time. And that's what I'm going to do. I know I'm going to compete as long as I can, and it's going to pay off."
Note: K-State Athletics will announce undrafted free agent signings as they become official by their respective NFL teams.
In two separate conference calls on two different days of the NFL Draft, a second-round pick to the Denver Broncos and a sixth-round pick to the Chicago Bears spoke similarly in what they will bring to their teams.
Those two players: Dalton Risner and Duke Shelley, respectively.
K-State's two NFL Draft picks this year — who extended the program's streak with at least one player selected to a Big 12-best 26 years in a row — both said they would come into camp with a team-first mentality, centered on competitiveness and versatility.
Risner said he's willing to play wherever the Denver Broncos see him fitting best on the offensive line. Whether that's center or even guard. Whether that order comes from head coach Vic Fangio or offensive line coach Mike Munchak, Risner said he's not hung up on playing the right tackle spot that he spent his last three seasons at as a Wildcat, including a First Team All-American season as a senior.
"Wherever they want me, that is where I am going to play," Risner said Friday night, after the Colorado native was picked by his childhood team in the second round, No. 41 overall. "Obviously, I'm not going to come in somewhere having the intention of being a backup, I would like to come in and have an immediate impact."
There's no questioning Risner's versatility to do so.
He spent almost his entire life playing center, including his redshirt freshman season at K-State that ended with him earning Freshman All-America honors. In practices, then-K-State offensive line coach Charlie Dickey made it common for his offensive linemen to learn all five positions. Dickey's approach has paid dividends for linemen like B.J. Finney and Cody Whitehair, each playing different positions in the NFL than they did, predominantly, at K-State.
Risner is prepared to be another example.
"It's just something that I became comfortable with," the 6-foot-5 Wiggins, Colorado native said. "I played a lot, and whenever you do that for five years in a row, just playing every position, it gives you the comfortability to move across the line. I feel like I have the size and measurables to do that as well."
Shelley, a sixth-round pick by the Bears at No. 205 overall, spent almost all of his time at K-State as a cornerback on the outside. The two-time All-Big 12 honoree started 37 games in four years, with an injury his senior year cutting that number short. But, as a 5-foot-9 defensive back in the NFL, Shelley said he's ready to take on the slot position if that's where he ends up. Like Risner, he'll do what he's asked to do to the best of his abilities.
"If they need me inside, I'll go in the slot," he said. "If they need me outside, I'll go play on the outside. Whatever the team needs, I'm here to fill that void for them and go out there and make plays and do the best I can. Wherever coach puts me, that's where I'm going."
Shelley did play some inside at K-State. Occasionally, he was asked to cover a receiver wherever he lined up on the field. Sometimes a formation forced him inside. He said it's not a position he's unfamiliar with or unconfident in playing at the next level.
"I can play the slot, 100 percent. I know it well, like the back of my hand," he said. "I can play corner on the outside. I've been doing that for four-straight years at Kansas State. I'm very versatile in that area."
Regardless what position eventually gets tagged to their names on the roster, both Wildcats said they plan to bring a drive to prepare to play at a high level. It's what they did at K-State, which led to them to success and a chance to make a living at what they love. They don't plan to change the formula now.
"I just take pride in playing with an edge," Risner said. "Every time I am out there on the field, I am not out there to make any friends. I am out there to play this game of football, and it is a job, especially now being a professional athlete."
"I'm going to work harder than anybody around me," Shelley added. "I take that very seriously. I'm a competitor. I'm going to compete every play. I don't like balls getting caught on me. I don't care if it's one yard or five. I like competing. I like to compete all the time. And that's what I'm going to do. I know I'm going to compete as long as I can, and it's going to pay off."
Note: K-State Athletics will announce undrafted free agent signings as they become official by their respective NFL teams.
Players Mentioned
OL
/ Football
DB
/ FootballK-State FB | Welcome back Collin Klein
Monday, December 08
K-State FB | Head Coach Collin Klein Radio Interview
Friday, December 05
K-State FB | Head Coach Collin Klein Official Introductory Event
Friday, December 05
K-State FB | Thank You Coach Klieman
Wednesday, December 03
