SE: McPherson Leads New-Look Wildcat Defense in 2021
Aug 02, 2021 | Football, Sports Extra
By: Austin Siegel
The best-dressed guy at Big 12 Media Days came ready to talk about fit.
Jahron McPherson was happy to chat about his wardrobe choice - a sport coat with capri pants and white sneakers - and how he planned to bring together a K-State defense with several new pieces arriving in Manhattan this fall.
"It's been a grind," McPherson said. "We needed to get better this offseason and we really practiced hard. We had to build, so we could do something special this year."
It's been less than a year since McPherson had "the game" against No. 3 Oklahoma, an 11-tackle performance with a forced fumble and interception in a win over the Sooners. That performance came with every major national defensive player of the week award and vaulted the senior into the Big 12 spotlight.
But McPherson was putting in work long before the upset in Norman, starting 13 games for the Wildcats at nickelback after arriving from Butler Community College as a JUCO transfer.
Using his extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19, McPherson returns as the most experienced member of the K-State defense in 2021.
Getting McPherson - JMac to anyone and everyone around the program - back was huge for the Wildcats.
"We had a couple of nice moments on defense but not good enough in this league to be successful. And that's something that we're going to work like heck to get shored up," head coach Chris Klieman said. "I know [Jahron] looks forward to that challenge as well. We had a really good spring, implementing a lot of new defensive kids."
McPherson's decision to come back means K-State will return their leading tackler in 2020 and a player coming off the first All-Big 12 honors of his career.
And it's not like the Oklahoma game was a one-off.
The very next week, McPherson was all over the field with eight tackles and an interception against Texas Tech. Other big games came against West Virginia and Oklahoma State. The goal for McPherson this season is simple.
"Consistency. I feel like that's the biggest thing this year with us," he said. "If we're consistent, then we're going to be good."
He's going to have plenty of help, after the Wildcats prioritized improving every level of the defense in a busy transfer portal around college football.
Julius Brents arrives after three seasons at Iowa and Russ Yeast could slot right next to McPherson in the K-State secondary after starting every game for Louisville in 2020.
That's three defensive backs who have started at least 10 games at the Power 5 level.
"Those guys that came in, I feel like they're already veterans," McPherson said, "So, their veteran leadership and us molding together, I feel like it will be perfect."
Throw in names like Eric Munoz (Utah State) at linebacker and defensive lineman Timmy Horne (Charlotte), and there's potential for a serious reset on this K-State defense.
Of course, the cupboard wasn't exactly bare after 2020. The Wildcats return 69 percent of their tackles from a season ago, even after losing an All-Big 12 player up front in Wyatt Hubert to the NFL.
Safe to say, the 'Cats are also counting on players already in the program to take a step forward. That's been the focus throughout the offseason.
"Toughness is a big thing we talk about now," McPherson said. "Week-to-week, it's stressful. As a defensive player, you have a new task every week. There's a lot of great players in this conference. I've got to be in shape because it's six seconds every play and that can be crazy."
In more ways than one, McPherson is the template for what K-State is looking for on defense: Guys who can come into the program, put in work and make an impact on Saturday.
McPherson came to Manhattan from Butler Community College. Some of the new guys have starting experience in the Big Ten and ACC – it's an impressive pedigree to be sure.
But if the K-State defense can take on the attitude of their senior leader in 2021, the Wildcats might just be in business.
"I want to be first team all-conference, things like that, but I put the team first before everything," McPherson said. "Our goal is that Big 12 Championship. I like it here [in Dallas]."
The best-dressed guy at Big 12 Media Days came ready to talk about fit.
Jahron McPherson was happy to chat about his wardrobe choice - a sport coat with capri pants and white sneakers - and how he planned to bring together a K-State defense with several new pieces arriving in Manhattan this fall.
"It's been a grind," McPherson said. "We needed to get better this offseason and we really practiced hard. We had to build, so we could do something special this year."
It's been less than a year since McPherson had "the game" against No. 3 Oklahoma, an 11-tackle performance with a forced fumble and interception in a win over the Sooners. That performance came with every major national defensive player of the week award and vaulted the senior into the Big 12 spotlight.
But McPherson was putting in work long before the upset in Norman, starting 13 games for the Wildcats at nickelback after arriving from Butler Community College as a JUCO transfer.
Using his extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19, McPherson returns as the most experienced member of the K-State defense in 2021.
Getting McPherson - JMac to anyone and everyone around the program - back was huge for the Wildcats.
"We had a couple of nice moments on defense but not good enough in this league to be successful. And that's something that we're going to work like heck to get shored up," head coach Chris Klieman said. "I know [Jahron] looks forward to that challenge as well. We had a really good spring, implementing a lot of new defensive kids."
McPherson's decision to come back means K-State will return their leading tackler in 2020 and a player coming off the first All-Big 12 honors of his career.
And it's not like the Oklahoma game was a one-off.
The very next week, McPherson was all over the field with eight tackles and an interception against Texas Tech. Other big games came against West Virginia and Oklahoma State. The goal for McPherson this season is simple.
"Consistency. I feel like that's the biggest thing this year with us," he said. "If we're consistent, then we're going to be good."
.@mactresuno named to the 2021 @TheLottTrophy Watch List
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He's going to have plenty of help, after the Wildcats prioritized improving every level of the defense in a busy transfer portal around college football.
Julius Brents arrives after three seasons at Iowa and Russ Yeast could slot right next to McPherson in the K-State secondary after starting every game for Louisville in 2020.
That's three defensive backs who have started at least 10 games at the Power 5 level.
"Those guys that came in, I feel like they're already veterans," McPherson said, "So, their veteran leadership and us molding together, I feel like it will be perfect."
Throw in names like Eric Munoz (Utah State) at linebacker and defensive lineman Timmy Horne (Charlotte), and there's potential for a serious reset on this K-State defense.
Of course, the cupboard wasn't exactly bare after 2020. The Wildcats return 69 percent of their tackles from a season ago, even after losing an All-Big 12 player up front in Wyatt Hubert to the NFL.
Safe to say, the 'Cats are also counting on players already in the program to take a step forward. That's been the focus throughout the offseason.
"Toughness is a big thing we talk about now," McPherson said. "Week-to-week, it's stressful. As a defensive player, you have a new task every week. There's a lot of great players in this conference. I've got to be in shape because it's six seconds every play and that can be crazy."
Welcome to your new home
— K-State Football (@KStateFB) January 26, 2021
Transfers ➡️ MHK
📄 https://t.co/Qvz6BU1kTF#KStateFB ⚒ pic.twitter.com/sOAegH4tfS
In more ways than one, McPherson is the template for what K-State is looking for on defense: Guys who can come into the program, put in work and make an impact on Saturday.
McPherson came to Manhattan from Butler Community College. Some of the new guys have starting experience in the Big Ten and ACC – it's an impressive pedigree to be sure.
But if the K-State defense can take on the attitude of their senior leader in 2021, the Wildcats might just be in business.
"I want to be first team all-conference, things like that, but I put the team first before everything," McPherson said. "Our goal is that Big 12 Championship. I like it here [in Dallas]."
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