K-State’s 2022 Signing Class Up to 17 with Four Signatures on Wednesday
Feb 02, 2022 | Football
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State's 2022 signing class grew by four members on Wednesday, as head coach Chris Klieman announced the signing of its newest players for the 2022 season. In addition to the 13 signees in December, K-State's Class of 2022 now includes 17 players.
The latest signees are quarterback Adryan Lara (Goodyear, Ariz.; Desert Edge), defensive back Jacob Parrish (Olathe, Kan.; Olathe North), athlete Tyson Struber (Galva, Kan.; Canton-Galva) and community-college defensive tackle Vaai Seumalo (Maunaloa, Hawai'i; Garden City CC).
Parrish and Struber are the third and fourth Wildcats from the state of Kansas, as K-State has signed at least four from the Sunflower State every year since 2010. Seumalo will be the first K-State football player to hail from the state of Hawai'i since 2003 (Peni Holakeituai and Jesse Keaulana-Kamakea).
In addition to the 17-man signing class, K-State has five FBS transfers that have enrolled in school in time for spring practices in defensive back Josh Hayes (Lakeland, Fla.; Univ. of Virginia), linebacker Will Honas (Wichita, Kan.; Univ. of Nebraska), linebacker Branden Jennings (Jacksonville, Fla.; Univ. of Maryland), quarterback Adrian Martinez (Fresno, Calif.; Univ. of Nebraska) and defensive back Shawn Robinson (Saginaw, Texas; Univ. of Missouri).
Hayes began his career at North Dakota State under Klieman and defensive backs coach Joe Klanderman. Honas and Martinez are the second and third transfers from Nebraska in the last two years, joining current Wildcat wide receiver Kade Warner. Honas began his collegiate career at Butler CC, playing with current Wildcat punter Ty Zentner. Robinson played quarterback at TCU in 2017 and 2018 before transferring to Missouri. He started the 2020 season as the Tigers' quarterback but moved to defensive back midway through the season.
The five FBS transfers – in addition to community-college safety Kobe Savage, who signed with K-State in December – and the rest of the Wildcats begin spring practices on March 8, which culminates with the final practice on Saturday, April 16. Details regarding the final practice will be announced at a later date.
K-STATE FOOTBALL SIGNING DAY PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
CHRIS KLIEMAN, HEAD COACH
Opening Statement…
"Good afternoon everyone. Excited that we added four guys to the signing class today. I'll visit about those guys briefly. We really did well with some walk-ons to add to this class. I can't talk about those guys right now simply because they've got to be admitted into school and stuff. There's some that are still in that process, but I know that Taylor Braet and his staff did great job with adding some walk-ons as well that we're really excited about that would be a big part of our recruiting class here for 2022. The four that we signed today are Adryan Lara, who's a quarterback from Goodyear, Arizona, Desert Edge High School. Tremendous arm strength, really talented quarterback, can throw from all platforms. We were looking for a guy that could really sling it from sideline to sideline and throw vertical balls and have great touch and great arm strength. Excited about him. His dad's one of the coaches there, so he's a coach's kid. He just knows about the game, so we're excited about him. He'll come here in the summer. Jacob Parrish from Olathe, Kansas, Olathe North. Jacob's a defensive back is what we recruited him as. He's a phenomenal athlete, could be a receiver, great kick and punt returner. We've been contacting and communicating with him since he came here for camp in the summer, but kind of kept it under the radar a little bit because we thought we had a real gem there, a hidden gem with Jacob. He's extremely fast, extremely physical, very athletic and excited to have another Olathe North product here. Tyson Struber is an athlete, could play him at wide receiver, can play defensive back, probably start him out at wide receiver but can do a lot of different things. We're going to see what he can do when he gets here. He's out of Galva, Kansas, another Kansas kid that came to camp and did a really good job at camp and just love his athleticism. So, we'll kind of play it out and see where he ends up playing for us but he's got tremendous ability and will be another really good special teams guy too. The last guy, a junior-college kid, Vaai Seumalo, and we call him Uso. So, when you get around him, just call him Uso. Uso is a defensive tackle, came from Garden City (Community College) and he's by way of Hawaii. An extremely talented guy that will help us inside with losing a couple of players in there. We've got a couple of guys coming off of injury on the defensive line as well, so he'll be a guy that we're excited about. Will be a mainstay for us. He'll arrive here in the summer, as well. So, those four guys were the latest additions, and they'll start here in June."
On more high caliber talent available this year because of the transfer portal...
"Yeah, there's a bunch of them that probably still aren't finding homes right now. As a staff we went out after the bowl game and spent two-plus weeks on the road and got to see the amount of really talented 2022 kids that are still trying to find a home. We were lucky to be able to get a few. We only had a few right now that we could give because we don't know what's going to happen with our roster and roster management. It's something that we're all going to have to look at as head coaches and hopefully they get some adjustments made, but there's a lot of talent in 2022. There's a number of kids that we ended up getting to walk on that a lot of times would have been scholarship players, if not a Group of Five or FCS for sure."
On taking the blueshirt destination off Jacob Parrish...
"A little bit of both. The fact that I've been recruiting him a lot myself and saw him at camp, saw how competitive he was. Went and saw him in school. He's gotten bigger, gained some weight, gotten stronger. Talked to his head coach, and we're just not letting this kid go. We're going to sign him today. He and his family visited last weekend. So, fortunate that we were able to sign him today."
On the scholarship count...
"It's tight, but we still have some room for some needs. We're probably going to need a defensive back. We're probably going to need a linebacker, couple other positions, probably going to need a running back. So, we have room on those. Plus, you just never know, as I'm learning on a day-to-day basis, what happens with your current roster. We have a handful of scholarships. We have a handful of what we would call initials where we can sign some guys, but we need to play out this spring now in it. Where our bowl game was great on January 4 for a lot of reasons, but then you can't visit any guys. There were a bunch of guys entering the portal around there. Last year we did such a great job of vetting the guys that came in here at semester. So, we just said, 'Hey, let's hit the pause button.' We know the guys we brought in because we were able to either bring them in here during the middle of December or had a bunch of conversations with them throughout the month of December. We just weren't going to jump on anything in January when we know there's going to be another crop of them coming in the spring."
On the positives of the blueshirt...
"Well, two things on it. We're going to turn away from that. We were able to this year, and we hope to continue to turn away from that because we got the initial or the extra seven (scholarships) this year. You shouldn't have to do it when you have that many with getting 32. Initially we did it simply because we were building our roster in our first couple years here. The benefit is you might be able to slide a kid in that you missed, maybe missed on late. The negative end is you lost his spot for the next year. So, we're hopeful in not having to do that at all this year."
On any possible adjustments with recruiting...
"I think we're always evaluating, to be honest with you. We can't go anywhere in February. Nobody can come in here. So, that's a chance for us to get together and rack our brains on things that we want to do. I look at our first year and we had some success. We missed on some things. Then you throw that second year in, and we didn't visit anybody. Now we look at the third year and this was more of a normal cycle. But with the transfer portal, with NIL, we have to continue to look and evolve. What that will be, I don't have that answer right now. I know that's something that we're talking about at length this morning. We'll talk about at length throughout this month of February as we build our 2023 board."
On the running back position...
"We brought a couple of walk-ons at semester here to give those guys an opportunity that are older guys that we'll learn about those guys, but we know it's not easy to find a transfer running back with what we have returning. We're not going to promise somebody 20 carries when we got No. 22 (Deuce Vaughn) back there. We all want to see good football, but we have to be cognizant that we don't have a bunch there. We lost some guys to the portal, and that's going to happen every year at different spots. It just hit us at running back this year. So, we're evaluating. We looked at some seniors in 2022. Now we'll continue to do that. We'll maybe look at a junior college kid because that's probably the area that I think has been missed on. A lot of junior college kids, probably in May, will come available because they didn't get looked at as much because of the transfer portal, but it's something that we're looking at every day."
On how many super seniors he's expecting on the team...
"They're starting to come to light a little bit. I know I'm going to miss somebody. Eli Huggins and Ty Zentner are two that I know are coming back. I'm missing somebody, but those two just kind of jumped out at me."
On what the transfers have been able to do so far...
"I haven't seen much of them because we've been gone. We were on the road during the time that they came to campus. I saw them this morning for the first time at a run that Coach Tru (Trumain Carroll) had. The guys – Josh Hayes, Will Honas, Brandon Jennings, Adrian Martinez, Shawn Robinson, I'll throw Kobe Savage because he was a junior college guy – I saw them at the run this morning and spent a little bit of time with them in the process. I have to have them up in my office more and more so I can get to know those guys. They're guys that we did kind of get through the process, and we know that they're the right kind of guys. They're going to enhance our locker room. They're going to be great leaders. They're going to be guys that are going to be for K-State, not for themselves, and there's a reason why they're all here, whether it's a position of need – which is all of them – as well as some of them are older guys that will bring some of that experience. But I've really just gotten around them."
On how the transfer of defensive back Shawn Robinson came to light...
"Coach (Joe) Klanderman, Coach (Van) Malone, Coach (Buddy) Wyatt I know had been back and forth and visiting with him quite a bit. Then I had a chance to Zoom a lot with him and his dad. I know that Van and Buddy knew a lot of people down in Texas that knew him real well and followed him there and said he was the right kind of guy that would help our program. I know he started out at quarterback. He played a game here against K-State at QB, then they moved him to defense. So, he's got that savviness of understanding the defensive side from being a quarterback and it's an older guy, but it's a bigger guy and we're going to start him out at safety. He's played some safety and played some linebacker. We're going to start him out at safety."
On Adryan Lara...
"We'll find out because he's a young kid, but just watching him throw the football, you guys will like it because he's got a cannon for an arm. He's a good athlete. He's a 200-plus pound guy, already 205, 208, somewhere in there. He played an offense that allowed him to throw it around a lot, allowed him to have some freedom of changing some protections, changing some route concepts. He gets the game because of his dad. Just his arm talent alone I think is going to really help us at that position, so he'll be a guy that gets an opportunity to compete with the other young guys in the program. Each year, no matter what we did with bringing Adrian (Martinez) in or not, each year we want to bring in a young quarterback. It's just something that we want to do. Max Marsh, as you guys know, we moved to defense, so we had an open spot there. We wanted to make sure that we continue to bring in freshmen."
On the linebacker transfers...
"Brandon (Jennings) played for Maryland and had a really productive season. He's a young player. Got to know him through the recruiting process. He committed, I think, when we were down in Houston at the Texas Bowl. Coach (Steve) Stanard did a wonderful job recruiting him. Coach (Taylor) Braet did. We kept in contact and continued to try to learn more and more. He's a high-energy guy. He's already a 230-pound guy, which at linebacker for us in this three-down is something that we need, a little bit bigger like Daniel Green. A guy that I think will have a really immediate impact for us and give us more bodies in there because that's where we're down some numbers there. Then Will (Honas), Bishop Carroll guy. Noah Johnson and he are really good friends, and Will had an opportunity to play, I think, it's like his seventh year of football and wanted a chance to play. I know that he's played some at Nebraska. The Nebraska coaches, you guys know, I'm friends with a number of them. They speak really highly of him. I think Kade (Warner) being down here, I think Adrian (Martinez) being down here helped, the fact that he knows Noah really well. I'm excited for him. He's coming off of an injury, so we'll learn more about him in the spring, but I got a chance to be around him just a little bit the other day and what a first-class, great kid that you can tell Coach (Alan) Schuckman did a great job with at Bishop Carroll."
On Tyson Struber...
"He dominated his level of football and could do it on both sides of the ball. That's what I think is so unique about him. He's got really good ball skills. He came to camp, showed that he can cover as a defensive back. He's not afraid to strike. He's got good length to him. He's going to continue to get bigger and bigger. He's 6-foot-2, 185 (pounds) already. He'll be a 205, 210-pound guy. His versatility is probably what impresses us the most about him in the fact that he could play wide receiver. He could play a defensive back. He could grow into a linebacker potentially. But just the fact that he's an athlete that is really versatile is going to give us an awful lot of opportunities to put him in different spots."
On the importance of camps in recruiting...
"They're really important, and we had huge numbers at a few of these camps where we had really good competition. You get to see Jacob Parrish going against Sterling Lockett one-on-one and those things. It helps us so much because you can see athleticism, but most importantly you can see guys compete. It's different than just watching a game film or seeing a guy run at track or seeing a guy work out on his high school field with some buddies. Getting him in a competitive drill where we can control it at our camp and put the best players against the best players and watching him compete against guys like Sterling was fun. He's a special, special athlete that we're fortunate that we were able to keep long enough and then get signed today."
On the keys to getting more Kansas kids...
"Get them to come to camp, for starters. That's the number one thing. Last year, people were just starting to come back on campuses. So that's the thing that all the bordering states we sent coaches out and we were out for two weeks, whether it's the month of March getting them here for a junior day, a spring practice and then getting them back here for a camp and getting them around us as coaches. We missed all that last spring. We were able to get it a little bit in the summer. I'm excited to get back into the recruiting cycle where we have kids visit campus because when you don't have kids visit Manhattan, it's a hard sell. You guys know it. It's not like it's right off the interstate with a huge metropolitan area around it. So, having that month of March and April and May and June where these kids will be able to come and visit campus is so critical for us because once we get them here, we have a great chance to get them."
On a very good 2023 class in Kansas...
"It's huge and more and more Power Five schools are coming in our state and recruiting. We've got a lot of talent in this state, and I hope a lot of these kids realize how special it is to play in your state, how special it is to have your family come and watch you play and the fact that you're from the state of Kansas and play at K-State. It's a special thing, and a lot of our guys that have graduated with us here will tell you that same thing. I know Taylor Braet and his staff are doing a phenomenal job of reaching out and continuing to touch those guys as much as we can. Then a number of kids in the state have been here already for junior days and for game day visits and stuff, and we have to build relationships with them and be honest with them. Hopefully we can land a few of them."
On the development of high school football in Kansas...
"Well, we've got really good coaches in the state of Kansas at the high school ranks, so that's for starters. They're getting coached really well. A lot of them are multi-sport guys, which I think is huge. I'm a big advocate of kids playing as many sports as they can because it's the competition that drives kids. Once again, for us just getting out and seeing these coaches like we were able to for two weeks, we hadn't done that in so dang long. To go out and see coaches, as head coaches you only can go out at this time in the winter. You can't go out in the spring, so trying to get to some schools in December and January was important. I know that is for all head coaches. I almost wish they would flip it because of so much time not being able to see high school coaches. I wish as head coaches we could go out in that spring calendar. I don't think that's going to happen, but for us, the state and the bordering states are going to continue to be important. That's why the walk-on program here – I'm not sure I'll have the exact number but somewhere around 10 or more kids – we've put on scholarship from the state of Kansas since our staff arrived in 2019 tells you a kid can come here, take a chance as a walk-on and it's going to pay off for him. Then there's a couple of KC, Mo. guys as well that did that. It's not even a sell, it's an opportunity for you to come in, make a name for yourself because you're going to get taken care of if you see the field."
On making a hire for the wide receivers coach...
"Pretty close. Collin (Klein) and I need to visit. I've been busy all day long. We had a couple guys in, but Collin and I need to still visit probably this evening."
On transfer quarterback Adrian Martinez and his availability in the spring...
"I would think he would probably be what Skylar (Thompson) was last year, probably throwing a little bit of 7-on-7, maybe some routes on air. He's not going to be able to do any competitive team drills, and we knew that when we recruited him. He did run today, so it's not like he can't do anything. He's limited in the weight room, obviously, but he was running with Will (Howard) and Jaren (Lewis) and Jake (Rubley). I know that that excited him so that he could show the guys he could compete. So, he's not totally enabled."
On adding Branden Jennings to the linebacker room...
"Well, that was a huge bonus because he's got so much time, but we thought we did a good job of getting a couple in the early period with Jake (Clifton) and with Tobi (Osunsanmi). So, we felt like we hit that with the young guys. Plus, we have a couple of really good young players in the program that haven't played yet. So yeah, once we got Will (Honas) and we got Branden, we kind of shored it up for the spring. Now we have to see where we're at at the end of spring to see if that's an area that we still need to go out and find something. It's hard for me to tell you, 'At the end of spring, we're going to go out and find this position, and this position, and this position.' You'd like to think we're probably going to find another running back because we're down there, but I don't know on some of these other spots until we see how some of these younger players have developed."
On what he likes about Adrian Martinez...
"Just his presence. He's going to command the room. He's mature beyond his years. He's an older kid anyway, but he is mature. You guys are going to love the kid because he's here for the right reasons. He's here because he wants an opportunity to play. He hit it off with Coach (Collin) Klein and myself, and I'm just really excited because I've seen him compete. I didn't know him prior to the recruiting process, but I've seen him compete. Like I said, I know a few coaches up there that speak the world of him. He's going to be, I think, a really special person in our program."
On what hurdles Adrian Martinez is facing right now...
"I think his biggest challenge right now is the fact that he's not cleared to do everything. To be that leader, to be that guy that, 'Well, I can't workout every day in the weight room because I can't do everything.' So it's building relationships. It's having wideouts come in here and watch film with them. It's going to dinner with Malik (Knowles) and Phil (Phillip Brooks) and Kade (Warner) and get around those guys. It's going to the throwing sessions that Will (Howard) and Jaren (Lewis) run and picking guys' brains and communicating and all those things. That's what excites him, but I know that frustrates him because he can't show, 'Hey man, look at my work ethic.' That's why he ran today. I know he was so excited about running."
On how his recruiting messaging has changed...
"I don't know if it's evolved. I mean, we're still trying to win with character and integrity first, trying to win close to home first. The messaging from our coaches is we're going to coach you hard, we're going to be honest with you, we're going to treat you fair, we're going to challenge the heck out of you, but we're going to love you. You have to love the kid first before you can challenge him. Building relationships with those guys and giving them an opportunity to play Big 12 football."
ADRIAN MARTINEZ, SENIOR QUARTERBACK
On what he likes best about K-State...
"I would say the culture, and for me that's the coaches and the players. There's a real sense of camaraderie here, and that was something that I was looking for in the process of finding a new school. That's what I found here."
On his biggest challenge...
"There's a number of challenges, but that's part of what I was looking forward to. I needed a new challenge. One of those things is overcoming my injury. Going through the rehab process, finding ways to get involved in the weight room while I'm doing maybe a little bit different lift than some of the other guys. Part of that is from a leadership aspect, part of it is from a physical aspect. So, adjusting on both of those fronts."
On the potential combination with Deuce Vaughn...
"Yeah, I mean, Deuce is an All American. I think there are a lot of guys who would love to play beside him. I'm really excited about what that can look like and what we could do together on offense."
On his process of selecting K-State...
"The portal was pretty hectic. I wasn't looking for a school that was about the hype, and it wasn't a strictly personal decision. It was about business for me, and one of my goals is to make it to the NFL. In my mind, K-State gave me the best option to do that with a really good culture, a really good program, a good team, and good guys, in an offense that I felt like I could fit in and thrive and show some skills of mine that I haven't been able to display necessarily. That's what it was about for me. So, there was a process of comparing different schools, this and that, but K-State was at the top in every category for me."
On what skills he wants to work on...
"For me it's going to be a mixture of things. I think every quarterback in the offseason is working to get better. For me, it needs to be about decision making, not turning over the ball, and ball security. Those are things I'm going to continue to work on here. What it looks like is just hopping in the film room every day. One of the other challenges will be getting to know these guys and becoming a leader. Those are all things I'm working on and in the process of doing."
On trying to force big plays in close games...
"Yeah, that's part of it, but it's about playing football. I wouldn't necessarily label it one thing or another. I will say I just need to get better, and I will get better."
On his thoughts on Manhattan...
"I'd actually come down a couple times to watch my girlfriend play soccer, and I love it. It's truly a college town feel for me with the Midwest vibe as far as the people. Everyone's really genuine, and I like that a lot. I've enjoyed my time so far."
On his excitement about Coach Klein's offense...
"I would say it's a lot more similar to NFL type schemes and in the way we go about things. With Coach Collin at the head there, offensive coordinator, I think he's going to bring in some spread elements that I'm more used to coming from Nebraska. Maybe we'll mix in some tempo stuff, and I think it'll really complement the already existing offense that they had."
On if he has a date in which he is expecting to be fully cleared...
"Not particularly. I want to ensure I'll be able to play in the fall, and that's the biggest thing. There's no point in rushing back and risking me not being ready to play in the fall."
On playing for Collin Klein after what he accomplished at K-State...
"It was definitely a big factor for me. I loved my position coach at Nebraska, and I wanted a relationship similar to that wherever I was going to end up. I felt like Coach Collin could give me that in addition to being a really bright, solid football coach. He had a tremendous amount of success here, and he knows what it looks like to win here. He's a guy who I can pick his brain 24/7."
On having familiar faces on the team in Kade Warner and Will Honas...
"Friendly faces for sure. Those are two guys that were some of my closer friends at Nebraska. Two really bright guys who are good football players. For me, that's helped the transition a little bit in coming to a new place."
On building a relationship with the receivers...
"Well, it's about forming those relationships. That doesn't always look like running routes on a field and throwing the ball, but I could still be there and my presence can still be there. Being in the film room, getting to know them off of the field, and outside of the stadium, that takes time. It won't happen overnight, but those are the things I'm trying to actively do to make sure that those relationships are there."
On embracing the Midwestern culture...
"I would say my personality is a much better match for the Midwest. I feel a little bit more at home here. For me it's a little bit slower pace, which I like. It's a little bit more open, less crowded. I think Manhattan is definitely that."
On describing his style of play...
"I really do think I epitomize a dual-threat quarterback. I feel strong about my ability to throw the ball and run it. Running is definitely a part of my game. It's something I'm looking to do a little bit less here, in all honesty, but something that does provide a spark to the offensive side of the ball. I try to make plays, and the next evolution of that is to make plays and turn over the ball less."
On if Deuce Vaughn contributed to his decision to come to K-State...
"Without a doubt. My philosophy, and something that I've been taught, is that the quarterback is one cog in the wheel of success or failure. Without the surrounding cast, it means nothing. So, Deuce Vaughn and other guys on the offensive unit – the offensive line, the coordinator, the head coach – it's really a system of people that results in success. So, Deuce of course, but also some other guys as well."
On his initial impressions of K-State before getting here...
"I had heard a little bit from Kade (Warner) because we had kept in touch. I heard about the camaraderie and how close this team was. There were some of the little details about how they reacted or how they handled certain situations that I was really impressed by. I'd heard nothing but good things going into the recruiting process."
On limiting turnovers...
"I would say it's one of the goals, not necessarily the main goal. I think that's just a good determinant of future success. For me, it also ties to the decision making. Being a little bit more secure with the ball when running it. I think running a little bit less will also help that for me. Being able to depend on a back like Deuce to run the ball and the different elements we're going to have in our offense are all part of that development for me, but it just comes down to practice and making sure it's a conscious effort."
SHAWN ROBINSON, SENIOR SAFETY
On the defensive system...
"I love the versatility at the safety position. They play three high safeties. I really like the idea of being anywhere on the field. Like I said before, I just want to help contribute, so wherever I can help contribute, I'm ready to go."
On his college journey...
"It's been a beautiful journey. A lot of ups and downs. A lot of things that I had to learn, but I wouldn't change anything. I wouldn't substitute any of the adversity I went through. I think everything happens for a reason, and I'm blessed to be here today."
On his quarterback experience helping him at safety...
"Yeah, it definitely helped me on the mental side as far as all I did at quarterback was study mannerisms of defensive backs and defenses. I switched over to DB and it kind of helps me know what the quarterback is looking for and know what he's not looking for. So, it's been cool."
On if he is still learning on defense...
"Yes, every second of the day I'm learning. A wise man once told me you have to stay green like a plant, stay green. You should always be learning. Once you get to the point where you feel like you are done learning, that's when you start to rot and things go bad. I always want to learn."
KOBE SAVAGE, JUNIOR DEFENSIVE BACK
On settling in at K-State...
"At first it was pretty crazy, but whenever I got the gist of it and I got my little group going, the coaches and players all helping me get used to it, I've enjoyed it a lot."
On what drew him to K-State...
"What drew me to K-State was really the family aspect of it all. All the coaches and all of their wives came to my visit and were bowling with me and spending time with me. The team here, especially whenever we're in the weight room, I can feel the energy. We're all moving as one. So, it feels like a family for sure."
On the K-State defensive system...
"Well, I'm used to a 4-2-5, but Coach (Joe) Klanderman spoke to me about a 3-3-5 and how it stops RPO's. How safeties will be in the run fit a lot, the pass fits, and we'll have a lot of lanes to cover. So, I'm really excited about the 3-3-5."
JOSH HAYES, SENIOR DEFENSIVE BACK
On his relationship with the coaching staff affecting his decision...
"It definitely was. It's nice to be around coaches that are familiar faces and stuff like that. Being able to come here and be around Coach Klieman and (Joe) Klanderman, Coach (Conor) Riley and stuff like that, it's comfortable, like a home feeling."
On his place in the secondary...
"I'm not 100 percent sure yet. I can't say that. You'll have to talk to the coaches, but I feel I'll play a little bit of it all. So, we'll see."
On Joe Klanderman's defensive philosophy...
"Yeah, I think, I wouldn't say so much philosophy, just Coach Klanderman is a real smart guy. Just from my first time at NDSU, I learned a lot. I feel like I'm still in a position where I want to grow and learn more football. I feel that being around him again, I get the chance to do just that."
BRANDEN JENNINGS, SOPHOMORE LINEBACKER
On what stood out to him about K-State...
"I liked the way the defense was playing and definitely the linebackers. I feel I can fit into the defense really well and help us thrive with that three(-man) front. We blitz the linebackers a lot. Of course, I like to get after the ball. I wanted to help improve my coverage and just be as versatile as I can to help us."
On his play style...
"I feel like I can improve on everything, but I definitely feel I can get to the ball as far as pash rush. A downhill playing linebacker, run fits, and just improving on coverage as well. I want to help in everything from all aspects to be honest."
On Manhattan...
"I look forward to making this my home for sure."
WILL HONAS, SENIOR LINEBACKER
On what he is looking to bring to the team...
"Just experience and leadership, and also come in a try to make an impact on the field on both defense and hopefully on special teams."
On if he is happy to be back in the state of Kansas...
"Yeah, no doubt. A lot of connections. Family and friends that went to school here or live around here. It's exciting to be home and be closer to family."
On his career...
"A lot of adversity. I try not to let adversity define me. Overcoming what I've overcome hasn't been easy and there have been hard times and there have been doubts. But the people around me and my passion for the game always keep me going. I still believe my best football is still ahead of me. I'm excited for the opportunity to play at Kansas State."
On the biggest challenge of coming into a new program...
"Getting to know all the guys and learning the playbook. Staying in the film room, staying in the meeting room. Nothing that I'm worried about as far as learning or getting healthy. I feel confident in the work I've put in. I have a pretty good understanding of football at this point."
The latest signees are quarterback Adryan Lara (Goodyear, Ariz.; Desert Edge), defensive back Jacob Parrish (Olathe, Kan.; Olathe North), athlete Tyson Struber (Galva, Kan.; Canton-Galva) and community-college defensive tackle Vaai Seumalo (Maunaloa, Hawai'i; Garden City CC).
Parrish and Struber are the third and fourth Wildcats from the state of Kansas, as K-State has signed at least four from the Sunflower State every year since 2010. Seumalo will be the first K-State football player to hail from the state of Hawai'i since 2003 (Peni Holakeituai and Jesse Keaulana-Kamakea).
In addition to the 17-man signing class, K-State has five FBS transfers that have enrolled in school in time for spring practices in defensive back Josh Hayes (Lakeland, Fla.; Univ. of Virginia), linebacker Will Honas (Wichita, Kan.; Univ. of Nebraska), linebacker Branden Jennings (Jacksonville, Fla.; Univ. of Maryland), quarterback Adrian Martinez (Fresno, Calif.; Univ. of Nebraska) and defensive back Shawn Robinson (Saginaw, Texas; Univ. of Missouri).
Hayes began his career at North Dakota State under Klieman and defensive backs coach Joe Klanderman. Honas and Martinez are the second and third transfers from Nebraska in the last two years, joining current Wildcat wide receiver Kade Warner. Honas began his collegiate career at Butler CC, playing with current Wildcat punter Ty Zentner. Robinson played quarterback at TCU in 2017 and 2018 before transferring to Missouri. He started the 2020 season as the Tigers' quarterback but moved to defensive back midway through the season.
The five FBS transfers – in addition to community-college safety Kobe Savage, who signed with K-State in December – and the rest of the Wildcats begin spring practices on March 8, which culminates with the final practice on Saturday, April 16. Details regarding the final practice will be announced at a later date.
K-STATE FOOTBALL SIGNING DAY PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
CHRIS KLIEMAN, HEAD COACH
Opening Statement…
"Good afternoon everyone. Excited that we added four guys to the signing class today. I'll visit about those guys briefly. We really did well with some walk-ons to add to this class. I can't talk about those guys right now simply because they've got to be admitted into school and stuff. There's some that are still in that process, but I know that Taylor Braet and his staff did great job with adding some walk-ons as well that we're really excited about that would be a big part of our recruiting class here for 2022. The four that we signed today are Adryan Lara, who's a quarterback from Goodyear, Arizona, Desert Edge High School. Tremendous arm strength, really talented quarterback, can throw from all platforms. We were looking for a guy that could really sling it from sideline to sideline and throw vertical balls and have great touch and great arm strength. Excited about him. His dad's one of the coaches there, so he's a coach's kid. He just knows about the game, so we're excited about him. He'll come here in the summer. Jacob Parrish from Olathe, Kansas, Olathe North. Jacob's a defensive back is what we recruited him as. He's a phenomenal athlete, could be a receiver, great kick and punt returner. We've been contacting and communicating with him since he came here for camp in the summer, but kind of kept it under the radar a little bit because we thought we had a real gem there, a hidden gem with Jacob. He's extremely fast, extremely physical, very athletic and excited to have another Olathe North product here. Tyson Struber is an athlete, could play him at wide receiver, can play defensive back, probably start him out at wide receiver but can do a lot of different things. We're going to see what he can do when he gets here. He's out of Galva, Kansas, another Kansas kid that came to camp and did a really good job at camp and just love his athleticism. So, we'll kind of play it out and see where he ends up playing for us but he's got tremendous ability and will be another really good special teams guy too. The last guy, a junior-college kid, Vaai Seumalo, and we call him Uso. So, when you get around him, just call him Uso. Uso is a defensive tackle, came from Garden City (Community College) and he's by way of Hawaii. An extremely talented guy that will help us inside with losing a couple of players in there. We've got a couple of guys coming off of injury on the defensive line as well, so he'll be a guy that we're excited about. Will be a mainstay for us. He'll arrive here in the summer, as well. So, those four guys were the latest additions, and they'll start here in June."
On more high caliber talent available this year because of the transfer portal...
"Yeah, there's a bunch of them that probably still aren't finding homes right now. As a staff we went out after the bowl game and spent two-plus weeks on the road and got to see the amount of really talented 2022 kids that are still trying to find a home. We were lucky to be able to get a few. We only had a few right now that we could give because we don't know what's going to happen with our roster and roster management. It's something that we're all going to have to look at as head coaches and hopefully they get some adjustments made, but there's a lot of talent in 2022. There's a number of kids that we ended up getting to walk on that a lot of times would have been scholarship players, if not a Group of Five or FCS for sure."
On taking the blueshirt destination off Jacob Parrish...
"A little bit of both. The fact that I've been recruiting him a lot myself and saw him at camp, saw how competitive he was. Went and saw him in school. He's gotten bigger, gained some weight, gotten stronger. Talked to his head coach, and we're just not letting this kid go. We're going to sign him today. He and his family visited last weekend. So, fortunate that we were able to sign him today."
On the scholarship count...
"It's tight, but we still have some room for some needs. We're probably going to need a defensive back. We're probably going to need a linebacker, couple other positions, probably going to need a running back. So, we have room on those. Plus, you just never know, as I'm learning on a day-to-day basis, what happens with your current roster. We have a handful of scholarships. We have a handful of what we would call initials where we can sign some guys, but we need to play out this spring now in it. Where our bowl game was great on January 4 for a lot of reasons, but then you can't visit any guys. There were a bunch of guys entering the portal around there. Last year we did such a great job of vetting the guys that came in here at semester. So, we just said, 'Hey, let's hit the pause button.' We know the guys we brought in because we were able to either bring them in here during the middle of December or had a bunch of conversations with them throughout the month of December. We just weren't going to jump on anything in January when we know there's going to be another crop of them coming in the spring."
On the positives of the blueshirt...
"Well, two things on it. We're going to turn away from that. We were able to this year, and we hope to continue to turn away from that because we got the initial or the extra seven (scholarships) this year. You shouldn't have to do it when you have that many with getting 32. Initially we did it simply because we were building our roster in our first couple years here. The benefit is you might be able to slide a kid in that you missed, maybe missed on late. The negative end is you lost his spot for the next year. So, we're hopeful in not having to do that at all this year."
On any possible adjustments with recruiting...
"I think we're always evaluating, to be honest with you. We can't go anywhere in February. Nobody can come in here. So, that's a chance for us to get together and rack our brains on things that we want to do. I look at our first year and we had some success. We missed on some things. Then you throw that second year in, and we didn't visit anybody. Now we look at the third year and this was more of a normal cycle. But with the transfer portal, with NIL, we have to continue to look and evolve. What that will be, I don't have that answer right now. I know that's something that we're talking about at length this morning. We'll talk about at length throughout this month of February as we build our 2023 board."
On the running back position...
"We brought a couple of walk-ons at semester here to give those guys an opportunity that are older guys that we'll learn about those guys, but we know it's not easy to find a transfer running back with what we have returning. We're not going to promise somebody 20 carries when we got No. 22 (Deuce Vaughn) back there. We all want to see good football, but we have to be cognizant that we don't have a bunch there. We lost some guys to the portal, and that's going to happen every year at different spots. It just hit us at running back this year. So, we're evaluating. We looked at some seniors in 2022. Now we'll continue to do that. We'll maybe look at a junior college kid because that's probably the area that I think has been missed on. A lot of junior college kids, probably in May, will come available because they didn't get looked at as much because of the transfer portal, but it's something that we're looking at every day."
On how many super seniors he's expecting on the team...
"They're starting to come to light a little bit. I know I'm going to miss somebody. Eli Huggins and Ty Zentner are two that I know are coming back. I'm missing somebody, but those two just kind of jumped out at me."
On what the transfers have been able to do so far...
"I haven't seen much of them because we've been gone. We were on the road during the time that they came to campus. I saw them this morning for the first time at a run that Coach Tru (Trumain Carroll) had. The guys – Josh Hayes, Will Honas, Brandon Jennings, Adrian Martinez, Shawn Robinson, I'll throw Kobe Savage because he was a junior college guy – I saw them at the run this morning and spent a little bit of time with them in the process. I have to have them up in my office more and more so I can get to know those guys. They're guys that we did kind of get through the process, and we know that they're the right kind of guys. They're going to enhance our locker room. They're going to be great leaders. They're going to be guys that are going to be for K-State, not for themselves, and there's a reason why they're all here, whether it's a position of need – which is all of them – as well as some of them are older guys that will bring some of that experience. But I've really just gotten around them."
On how the transfer of defensive back Shawn Robinson came to light...
"Coach (Joe) Klanderman, Coach (Van) Malone, Coach (Buddy) Wyatt I know had been back and forth and visiting with him quite a bit. Then I had a chance to Zoom a lot with him and his dad. I know that Van and Buddy knew a lot of people down in Texas that knew him real well and followed him there and said he was the right kind of guy that would help our program. I know he started out at quarterback. He played a game here against K-State at QB, then they moved him to defense. So, he's got that savviness of understanding the defensive side from being a quarterback and it's an older guy, but it's a bigger guy and we're going to start him out at safety. He's played some safety and played some linebacker. We're going to start him out at safety."
On Adryan Lara...
"We'll find out because he's a young kid, but just watching him throw the football, you guys will like it because he's got a cannon for an arm. He's a good athlete. He's a 200-plus pound guy, already 205, 208, somewhere in there. He played an offense that allowed him to throw it around a lot, allowed him to have some freedom of changing some protections, changing some route concepts. He gets the game because of his dad. Just his arm talent alone I think is going to really help us at that position, so he'll be a guy that gets an opportunity to compete with the other young guys in the program. Each year, no matter what we did with bringing Adrian (Martinez) in or not, each year we want to bring in a young quarterback. It's just something that we want to do. Max Marsh, as you guys know, we moved to defense, so we had an open spot there. We wanted to make sure that we continue to bring in freshmen."
On the linebacker transfers...
"Brandon (Jennings) played for Maryland and had a really productive season. He's a young player. Got to know him through the recruiting process. He committed, I think, when we were down in Houston at the Texas Bowl. Coach (Steve) Stanard did a wonderful job recruiting him. Coach (Taylor) Braet did. We kept in contact and continued to try to learn more and more. He's a high-energy guy. He's already a 230-pound guy, which at linebacker for us in this three-down is something that we need, a little bit bigger like Daniel Green. A guy that I think will have a really immediate impact for us and give us more bodies in there because that's where we're down some numbers there. Then Will (Honas), Bishop Carroll guy. Noah Johnson and he are really good friends, and Will had an opportunity to play, I think, it's like his seventh year of football and wanted a chance to play. I know that he's played some at Nebraska. The Nebraska coaches, you guys know, I'm friends with a number of them. They speak really highly of him. I think Kade (Warner) being down here, I think Adrian (Martinez) being down here helped, the fact that he knows Noah really well. I'm excited for him. He's coming off of an injury, so we'll learn more about him in the spring, but I got a chance to be around him just a little bit the other day and what a first-class, great kid that you can tell Coach (Alan) Schuckman did a great job with at Bishop Carroll."
On Tyson Struber...
"He dominated his level of football and could do it on both sides of the ball. That's what I think is so unique about him. He's got really good ball skills. He came to camp, showed that he can cover as a defensive back. He's not afraid to strike. He's got good length to him. He's going to continue to get bigger and bigger. He's 6-foot-2, 185 (pounds) already. He'll be a 205, 210-pound guy. His versatility is probably what impresses us the most about him in the fact that he could play wide receiver. He could play a defensive back. He could grow into a linebacker potentially. But just the fact that he's an athlete that is really versatile is going to give us an awful lot of opportunities to put him in different spots."
On the importance of camps in recruiting...
"They're really important, and we had huge numbers at a few of these camps where we had really good competition. You get to see Jacob Parrish going against Sterling Lockett one-on-one and those things. It helps us so much because you can see athleticism, but most importantly you can see guys compete. It's different than just watching a game film or seeing a guy run at track or seeing a guy work out on his high school field with some buddies. Getting him in a competitive drill where we can control it at our camp and put the best players against the best players and watching him compete against guys like Sterling was fun. He's a special, special athlete that we're fortunate that we were able to keep long enough and then get signed today."
On the keys to getting more Kansas kids...
"Get them to come to camp, for starters. That's the number one thing. Last year, people were just starting to come back on campuses. So that's the thing that all the bordering states we sent coaches out and we were out for two weeks, whether it's the month of March getting them here for a junior day, a spring practice and then getting them back here for a camp and getting them around us as coaches. We missed all that last spring. We were able to get it a little bit in the summer. I'm excited to get back into the recruiting cycle where we have kids visit campus because when you don't have kids visit Manhattan, it's a hard sell. You guys know it. It's not like it's right off the interstate with a huge metropolitan area around it. So, having that month of March and April and May and June where these kids will be able to come and visit campus is so critical for us because once we get them here, we have a great chance to get them."
On a very good 2023 class in Kansas...
"It's huge and more and more Power Five schools are coming in our state and recruiting. We've got a lot of talent in this state, and I hope a lot of these kids realize how special it is to play in your state, how special it is to have your family come and watch you play and the fact that you're from the state of Kansas and play at K-State. It's a special thing, and a lot of our guys that have graduated with us here will tell you that same thing. I know Taylor Braet and his staff are doing a phenomenal job of reaching out and continuing to touch those guys as much as we can. Then a number of kids in the state have been here already for junior days and for game day visits and stuff, and we have to build relationships with them and be honest with them. Hopefully we can land a few of them."
On the development of high school football in Kansas...
"Well, we've got really good coaches in the state of Kansas at the high school ranks, so that's for starters. They're getting coached really well. A lot of them are multi-sport guys, which I think is huge. I'm a big advocate of kids playing as many sports as they can because it's the competition that drives kids. Once again, for us just getting out and seeing these coaches like we were able to for two weeks, we hadn't done that in so dang long. To go out and see coaches, as head coaches you only can go out at this time in the winter. You can't go out in the spring, so trying to get to some schools in December and January was important. I know that is for all head coaches. I almost wish they would flip it because of so much time not being able to see high school coaches. I wish as head coaches we could go out in that spring calendar. I don't think that's going to happen, but for us, the state and the bordering states are going to continue to be important. That's why the walk-on program here – I'm not sure I'll have the exact number but somewhere around 10 or more kids – we've put on scholarship from the state of Kansas since our staff arrived in 2019 tells you a kid can come here, take a chance as a walk-on and it's going to pay off for him. Then there's a couple of KC, Mo. guys as well that did that. It's not even a sell, it's an opportunity for you to come in, make a name for yourself because you're going to get taken care of if you see the field."
On making a hire for the wide receivers coach...
"Pretty close. Collin (Klein) and I need to visit. I've been busy all day long. We had a couple guys in, but Collin and I need to still visit probably this evening."
On transfer quarterback Adrian Martinez and his availability in the spring...
"I would think he would probably be what Skylar (Thompson) was last year, probably throwing a little bit of 7-on-7, maybe some routes on air. He's not going to be able to do any competitive team drills, and we knew that when we recruited him. He did run today, so it's not like he can't do anything. He's limited in the weight room, obviously, but he was running with Will (Howard) and Jaren (Lewis) and Jake (Rubley). I know that that excited him so that he could show the guys he could compete. So, he's not totally enabled."
On adding Branden Jennings to the linebacker room...
"Well, that was a huge bonus because he's got so much time, but we thought we did a good job of getting a couple in the early period with Jake (Clifton) and with Tobi (Osunsanmi). So, we felt like we hit that with the young guys. Plus, we have a couple of really good young players in the program that haven't played yet. So yeah, once we got Will (Honas) and we got Branden, we kind of shored it up for the spring. Now we have to see where we're at at the end of spring to see if that's an area that we still need to go out and find something. It's hard for me to tell you, 'At the end of spring, we're going to go out and find this position, and this position, and this position.' You'd like to think we're probably going to find another running back because we're down there, but I don't know on some of these other spots until we see how some of these younger players have developed."
On what he likes about Adrian Martinez...
"Just his presence. He's going to command the room. He's mature beyond his years. He's an older kid anyway, but he is mature. You guys are going to love the kid because he's here for the right reasons. He's here because he wants an opportunity to play. He hit it off with Coach (Collin) Klein and myself, and I'm just really excited because I've seen him compete. I didn't know him prior to the recruiting process, but I've seen him compete. Like I said, I know a few coaches up there that speak the world of him. He's going to be, I think, a really special person in our program."
On what hurdles Adrian Martinez is facing right now...
"I think his biggest challenge right now is the fact that he's not cleared to do everything. To be that leader, to be that guy that, 'Well, I can't workout every day in the weight room because I can't do everything.' So it's building relationships. It's having wideouts come in here and watch film with them. It's going to dinner with Malik (Knowles) and Phil (Phillip Brooks) and Kade (Warner) and get around those guys. It's going to the throwing sessions that Will (Howard) and Jaren (Lewis) run and picking guys' brains and communicating and all those things. That's what excites him, but I know that frustrates him because he can't show, 'Hey man, look at my work ethic.' That's why he ran today. I know he was so excited about running."
On how his recruiting messaging has changed...
"I don't know if it's evolved. I mean, we're still trying to win with character and integrity first, trying to win close to home first. The messaging from our coaches is we're going to coach you hard, we're going to be honest with you, we're going to treat you fair, we're going to challenge the heck out of you, but we're going to love you. You have to love the kid first before you can challenge him. Building relationships with those guys and giving them an opportunity to play Big 12 football."
ADRIAN MARTINEZ, SENIOR QUARTERBACK
On what he likes best about K-State...
"I would say the culture, and for me that's the coaches and the players. There's a real sense of camaraderie here, and that was something that I was looking for in the process of finding a new school. That's what I found here."
On his biggest challenge...
"There's a number of challenges, but that's part of what I was looking forward to. I needed a new challenge. One of those things is overcoming my injury. Going through the rehab process, finding ways to get involved in the weight room while I'm doing maybe a little bit different lift than some of the other guys. Part of that is from a leadership aspect, part of it is from a physical aspect. So, adjusting on both of those fronts."
On the potential combination with Deuce Vaughn...
"Yeah, I mean, Deuce is an All American. I think there are a lot of guys who would love to play beside him. I'm really excited about what that can look like and what we could do together on offense."
On his process of selecting K-State...
"The portal was pretty hectic. I wasn't looking for a school that was about the hype, and it wasn't a strictly personal decision. It was about business for me, and one of my goals is to make it to the NFL. In my mind, K-State gave me the best option to do that with a really good culture, a really good program, a good team, and good guys, in an offense that I felt like I could fit in and thrive and show some skills of mine that I haven't been able to display necessarily. That's what it was about for me. So, there was a process of comparing different schools, this and that, but K-State was at the top in every category for me."
On what skills he wants to work on...
"For me it's going to be a mixture of things. I think every quarterback in the offseason is working to get better. For me, it needs to be about decision making, not turning over the ball, and ball security. Those are things I'm going to continue to work on here. What it looks like is just hopping in the film room every day. One of the other challenges will be getting to know these guys and becoming a leader. Those are all things I'm working on and in the process of doing."
On trying to force big plays in close games...
"Yeah, that's part of it, but it's about playing football. I wouldn't necessarily label it one thing or another. I will say I just need to get better, and I will get better."
On his thoughts on Manhattan...
"I'd actually come down a couple times to watch my girlfriend play soccer, and I love it. It's truly a college town feel for me with the Midwest vibe as far as the people. Everyone's really genuine, and I like that a lot. I've enjoyed my time so far."
On his excitement about Coach Klein's offense...
"I would say it's a lot more similar to NFL type schemes and in the way we go about things. With Coach Collin at the head there, offensive coordinator, I think he's going to bring in some spread elements that I'm more used to coming from Nebraska. Maybe we'll mix in some tempo stuff, and I think it'll really complement the already existing offense that they had."
On if he has a date in which he is expecting to be fully cleared...
"Not particularly. I want to ensure I'll be able to play in the fall, and that's the biggest thing. There's no point in rushing back and risking me not being ready to play in the fall."
On playing for Collin Klein after what he accomplished at K-State...
"It was definitely a big factor for me. I loved my position coach at Nebraska, and I wanted a relationship similar to that wherever I was going to end up. I felt like Coach Collin could give me that in addition to being a really bright, solid football coach. He had a tremendous amount of success here, and he knows what it looks like to win here. He's a guy who I can pick his brain 24/7."
On having familiar faces on the team in Kade Warner and Will Honas...
"Friendly faces for sure. Those are two guys that were some of my closer friends at Nebraska. Two really bright guys who are good football players. For me, that's helped the transition a little bit in coming to a new place."
On building a relationship with the receivers...
"Well, it's about forming those relationships. That doesn't always look like running routes on a field and throwing the ball, but I could still be there and my presence can still be there. Being in the film room, getting to know them off of the field, and outside of the stadium, that takes time. It won't happen overnight, but those are the things I'm trying to actively do to make sure that those relationships are there."
On embracing the Midwestern culture...
"I would say my personality is a much better match for the Midwest. I feel a little bit more at home here. For me it's a little bit slower pace, which I like. It's a little bit more open, less crowded. I think Manhattan is definitely that."
On describing his style of play...
"I really do think I epitomize a dual-threat quarterback. I feel strong about my ability to throw the ball and run it. Running is definitely a part of my game. It's something I'm looking to do a little bit less here, in all honesty, but something that does provide a spark to the offensive side of the ball. I try to make plays, and the next evolution of that is to make plays and turn over the ball less."
On if Deuce Vaughn contributed to his decision to come to K-State...
"Without a doubt. My philosophy, and something that I've been taught, is that the quarterback is one cog in the wheel of success or failure. Without the surrounding cast, it means nothing. So, Deuce Vaughn and other guys on the offensive unit – the offensive line, the coordinator, the head coach – it's really a system of people that results in success. So, Deuce of course, but also some other guys as well."
On his initial impressions of K-State before getting here...
"I had heard a little bit from Kade (Warner) because we had kept in touch. I heard about the camaraderie and how close this team was. There were some of the little details about how they reacted or how they handled certain situations that I was really impressed by. I'd heard nothing but good things going into the recruiting process."
On limiting turnovers...
"I would say it's one of the goals, not necessarily the main goal. I think that's just a good determinant of future success. For me, it also ties to the decision making. Being a little bit more secure with the ball when running it. I think running a little bit less will also help that for me. Being able to depend on a back like Deuce to run the ball and the different elements we're going to have in our offense are all part of that development for me, but it just comes down to practice and making sure it's a conscious effort."
SHAWN ROBINSON, SENIOR SAFETY
On the defensive system...
"I love the versatility at the safety position. They play three high safeties. I really like the idea of being anywhere on the field. Like I said before, I just want to help contribute, so wherever I can help contribute, I'm ready to go."
On his college journey...
"It's been a beautiful journey. A lot of ups and downs. A lot of things that I had to learn, but I wouldn't change anything. I wouldn't substitute any of the adversity I went through. I think everything happens for a reason, and I'm blessed to be here today."
On his quarterback experience helping him at safety...
"Yeah, it definitely helped me on the mental side as far as all I did at quarterback was study mannerisms of defensive backs and defenses. I switched over to DB and it kind of helps me know what the quarterback is looking for and know what he's not looking for. So, it's been cool."
On if he is still learning on defense...
"Yes, every second of the day I'm learning. A wise man once told me you have to stay green like a plant, stay green. You should always be learning. Once you get to the point where you feel like you are done learning, that's when you start to rot and things go bad. I always want to learn."
KOBE SAVAGE, JUNIOR DEFENSIVE BACK
On settling in at K-State...
"At first it was pretty crazy, but whenever I got the gist of it and I got my little group going, the coaches and players all helping me get used to it, I've enjoyed it a lot."
On what drew him to K-State...
"What drew me to K-State was really the family aspect of it all. All the coaches and all of their wives came to my visit and were bowling with me and spending time with me. The team here, especially whenever we're in the weight room, I can feel the energy. We're all moving as one. So, it feels like a family for sure."
On the K-State defensive system...
"Well, I'm used to a 4-2-5, but Coach (Joe) Klanderman spoke to me about a 3-3-5 and how it stops RPO's. How safeties will be in the run fit a lot, the pass fits, and we'll have a lot of lanes to cover. So, I'm really excited about the 3-3-5."
JOSH HAYES, SENIOR DEFENSIVE BACK
On his relationship with the coaching staff affecting his decision...
"It definitely was. It's nice to be around coaches that are familiar faces and stuff like that. Being able to come here and be around Coach Klieman and (Joe) Klanderman, Coach (Conor) Riley and stuff like that, it's comfortable, like a home feeling."
On his place in the secondary...
"I'm not 100 percent sure yet. I can't say that. You'll have to talk to the coaches, but I feel I'll play a little bit of it all. So, we'll see."
On Joe Klanderman's defensive philosophy...
"Yeah, I think, I wouldn't say so much philosophy, just Coach Klanderman is a real smart guy. Just from my first time at NDSU, I learned a lot. I feel like I'm still in a position where I want to grow and learn more football. I feel that being around him again, I get the chance to do just that."
BRANDEN JENNINGS, SOPHOMORE LINEBACKER
On what stood out to him about K-State...
"I liked the way the defense was playing and definitely the linebackers. I feel I can fit into the defense really well and help us thrive with that three(-man) front. We blitz the linebackers a lot. Of course, I like to get after the ball. I wanted to help improve my coverage and just be as versatile as I can to help us."
On his play style...
"I feel like I can improve on everything, but I definitely feel I can get to the ball as far as pash rush. A downhill playing linebacker, run fits, and just improving on coverage as well. I want to help in everything from all aspects to be honest."
On Manhattan...
"I look forward to making this my home for sure."
WILL HONAS, SENIOR LINEBACKER
On what he is looking to bring to the team...
"Just experience and leadership, and also come in a try to make an impact on the field on both defense and hopefully on special teams."
On if he is happy to be back in the state of Kansas...
"Yeah, no doubt. A lot of connections. Family and friends that went to school here or live around here. It's exciting to be home and be closer to family."
On his career...
"A lot of adversity. I try not to let adversity define me. Overcoming what I've overcome hasn't been easy and there have been hard times and there have been doubts. But the people around me and my passion for the game always keep me going. I still believe my best football is still ahead of me. I'm excited for the opportunity to play at Kansas State."
On the biggest challenge of coming into a new program...
"Getting to know all the guys and learning the playbook. Staying in the film room, staying in the meeting room. Nothing that I'm worried about as far as learning or getting healthy. I feel confident in the work I've put in. I have a pretty good understanding of football at this point."
Players Mentioned
WR
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LB
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DT
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OL
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QB
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WR
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DB
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DB
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DT
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ATH
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RB
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WR
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P/K
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