The Man in the Middle of it All
Sep 08, 2022 | Football, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
Eli Huggins looks like the kind of guy who's hooked a bass or two, what with his scruffy brown beard and reflective sunglasses stationed above the brim of his old ballcap. His tight purple short-sleeve t-shirt could place him as a member of the Wildcats' national championship bass fishing team. He smiles when he talks. Nose guards getting this much attention can be an anomaly.
Perhaps it's his 6-foot-5, 297-pound frame that gives him away. He's a hard-to-miss guy, a 24-year-old who probably turns heads when he enters a restaurant, while kind eyes suggest he'd carry an elder's groceries to an awaiting car outside Dillons. There's no viciousness to the man right now as he stands inside the Vanier Family Football Complex. No, that comes later.
The beast comes out on Saturdays.
"It's hard to block him, and hard to sustain him," Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman says, adding, "He's a terrific football player. He's very underrated across the national landscape."
Huggins, described as an "old soul" by his teammates, was a true freshman when K-State thumped UCLA 35-17 in the 2017 Cactus Bowl, and he recorded a single tackle in 2018 during the final season of Bill Snyder's legendary career. He played in six games as a sophomore, started in eight games as a junior, and last season earned Honorable Mention All-Big 12 Conference honors by virtue of his 21 tackles, six tackles for a loss and three sacks while starting all 13 games.
"Humble guy," sophomore defensive end Nate Matlack says. "I get a lot of advice from him. He's very wise. He doesn't say too much but when he does it's something meaningful. He makes plays that sometimes go unseen, but he just means so much to the team."
Adds senior transfer quarterback Adrian Martinez: "Savvy vet. He's a really cool guy and down to earth. You know what I mean? I shared a couple classes with him this last semester and got to know him a little bit. Whether it's a freshman walk-on or a fifth-year senior transfer like me, he's the same guy every day. I think everyone appreciates his genuine nature."
Today, he's a sixth-year senior who collected his first sack of the 2022 season in the Wildcats' season opener against South Dakota and he's rehashing how he jumped the center and delivered a swim move and got up field and sent quarterback Carson Camp into a heap. Today, he's surrounded by cameras and reporters and he's explaining it all and he's trying his best to conceal that grin, but it busts out like the morning sun through low-hanging clouds above Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
"Just moments like that, and seeing the stadium packed with fans, and the walk during pregame was the best I'd ever seen it, and it was insane," he says. "Stuff like that made me want to come back."
There was a time when today and tomorrow in purple and white didn't seem possible and when the beast was believing that his reign as the disruptive force in the middle of the Wildcats' 3-3-5 defensive alignment was over. There was a time when every step seemed like a whole string of lasts — the last practice, the last trip to the training room, the last pregame meal, the last night in a hotel, the last bus ride to the stadium.
"Senior Night I thought I was leaving," he says, "and I was crying like a baby on the field before the game."
But no, it didn't happen. About a week before the Texas Bowl, Huggins spoke with Klieman. He spoke with defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman. He spoke with his position coach Mike Tuiasosopo. He spoke with his parents, Jeff and Heather. Yes, he spoke with all of them. And finally, he listened to his heart.
"Leaving just didn't seem like the right thing to do," he says. "I wasn't ready to leave. I felt like I had more to prove. I love this university. It really was a no-brainer once I met with everybody."
And now he's here, the old soul, a team captain, looking to wallop Missouri sophomore quarterback Brady Cook when the Wildcats meet the Tigers at 11 a.m. Saturday in Manhattan. The game is a sellout and will be televised on ESPN2, meaning that family and friends back home in Cumming, Georgia, will have a chance to watch him shine in the Little Apple.
"Their nose guard, Eli Huggins, with a name like 'Eli,' has to be a helluva player," Missouri head coach Eliah Drinkwitz says. "He's a very good nose. He's the guy that makes them go because of their three-down system. He's able to create push, he chases the football, rushes the passer. He really does all things well."
Huggins grew up a Tennessee fan. He lived 70 miles from the University of Georgia. He had no idea about K-State until he began getting letters from former K-State wide receivers coach Andre Coleman back in 2016. He and his mother took an unofficial visit to K-State. They were hooked. It wasn't until Huggins committed to the Wildcats on June 21, 2016, that schools such as Cincinnati, Navy, Central Florida, and Georgia Tech came calling. But Huggins was an early enrollee. He graduated early from West Forsyth High School, where he was an All-Southeast Region pick by PrepStar.
"People asked me for my senior highlight tape," he says. "I was like, 'I didn't make a senior highlight tape. I've been committed to K-State for a while.' I got some interest, but I'm glad the way it turned out, I can tell you that. K-State was home. It was where I was meant to be for sure. I'm so happy."
His happiness rubbed off. His younger brother, Jake Huggins, is a junior and a fullback for the Wildcats.
Today, Eli Huggins is a 21-game starter and a three-time Academic All-Big 12 performer who earned first-team honors each of the last two seasons. He earned his degree in finance and will graduate with a master's in data analytics in December. The plan is to pursue a career in the NFL.
"Hopefully with my degrees, if that doesn't work out," he says, "I'll find something pretty good out there."
For now, Huggins is on a mission.
"I know what's possible," he says. "My goal is to make First Team All-Big 12. That's what I'm striving for this season. It made me hungrier to know I was close (a year ago). I want to get it now."
There's no telling how this all is going to end. But here's what we do know: Huggins is excited for Saturday at The Bill.
"It's exciting to play a SEC team," he says. "I grew up watching a ton of SEC football. We've had great success the last few years going against SEC teams."
Huggins was there when K-State beat Mississippi State in 2019. Huggins was there when K-State beat LSU last year. And Huggins will be out there against Missouri, battling the Tigers, swimming past linemen, and chasing the quarterback. He came back for this. He came back for this rush. He came back to be with his teammates, and man, he came back because of his love of the university and his love of the fans and his love for big moments.
"The feeling you get when you get to the quarterback," he says, "is a special thing."
The beast comes out on Saturdays.
Eli Huggins looks like the kind of guy who's hooked a bass or two, what with his scruffy brown beard and reflective sunglasses stationed above the brim of his old ballcap. His tight purple short-sleeve t-shirt could place him as a member of the Wildcats' national championship bass fishing team. He smiles when he talks. Nose guards getting this much attention can be an anomaly.
Perhaps it's his 6-foot-5, 297-pound frame that gives him away. He's a hard-to-miss guy, a 24-year-old who probably turns heads when he enters a restaurant, while kind eyes suggest he'd carry an elder's groceries to an awaiting car outside Dillons. There's no viciousness to the man right now as he stands inside the Vanier Family Football Complex. No, that comes later.
The beast comes out on Saturdays.
"It's hard to block him, and hard to sustain him," Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman says, adding, "He's a terrific football player. He's very underrated across the national landscape."
Huggins, described as an "old soul" by his teammates, was a true freshman when K-State thumped UCLA 35-17 in the 2017 Cactus Bowl, and he recorded a single tackle in 2018 during the final season of Bill Snyder's legendary career. He played in six games as a sophomore, started in eight games as a junior, and last season earned Honorable Mention All-Big 12 Conference honors by virtue of his 21 tackles, six tackles for a loss and three sacks while starting all 13 games.
"Humble guy," sophomore defensive end Nate Matlack says. "I get a lot of advice from him. He's very wise. He doesn't say too much but when he does it's something meaningful. He makes plays that sometimes go unseen, but he just means so much to the team."
Adds senior transfer quarterback Adrian Martinez: "Savvy vet. He's a really cool guy and down to earth. You know what I mean? I shared a couple classes with him this last semester and got to know him a little bit. Whether it's a freshman walk-on or a fifth-year senior transfer like me, he's the same guy every day. I think everyone appreciates his genuine nature."
Today, he's a sixth-year senior who collected his first sack of the 2022 season in the Wildcats' season opener against South Dakota and he's rehashing how he jumped the center and delivered a swim move and got up field and sent quarterback Carson Camp into a heap. Today, he's surrounded by cameras and reporters and he's explaining it all and he's trying his best to conceal that grin, but it busts out like the morning sun through low-hanging clouds above Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
"Just moments like that, and seeing the stadium packed with fans, and the walk during pregame was the best I'd ever seen it, and it was insane," he says. "Stuff like that made me want to come back."
There was a time when today and tomorrow in purple and white didn't seem possible and when the beast was believing that his reign as the disruptive force in the middle of the Wildcats' 3-3-5 defensive alignment was over. There was a time when every step seemed like a whole string of lasts — the last practice, the last trip to the training room, the last pregame meal, the last night in a hotel, the last bus ride to the stadium.
"Senior Night I thought I was leaving," he says, "and I was crying like a baby on the field before the game."
But no, it didn't happen. About a week before the Texas Bowl, Huggins spoke with Klieman. He spoke with defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman. He spoke with his position coach Mike Tuiasosopo. He spoke with his parents, Jeff and Heather. Yes, he spoke with all of them. And finally, he listened to his heart.
"Leaving just didn't seem like the right thing to do," he says. "I wasn't ready to leave. I felt like I had more to prove. I love this university. It really was a no-brainer once I met with everybody."
And now he's here, the old soul, a team captain, looking to wallop Missouri sophomore quarterback Brady Cook when the Wildcats meet the Tigers at 11 a.m. Saturday in Manhattan. The game is a sellout and will be televised on ESPN2, meaning that family and friends back home in Cumming, Georgia, will have a chance to watch him shine in the Little Apple.
"Their nose guard, Eli Huggins, with a name like 'Eli,' has to be a helluva player," Missouri head coach Eliah Drinkwitz says. "He's a very good nose. He's the guy that makes them go because of their three-down system. He's able to create push, he chases the football, rushes the passer. He really does all things well."
Huggins grew up a Tennessee fan. He lived 70 miles from the University of Georgia. He had no idea about K-State until he began getting letters from former K-State wide receivers coach Andre Coleman back in 2016. He and his mother took an unofficial visit to K-State. They were hooked. It wasn't until Huggins committed to the Wildcats on June 21, 2016, that schools such as Cincinnati, Navy, Central Florida, and Georgia Tech came calling. But Huggins was an early enrollee. He graduated early from West Forsyth High School, where he was an All-Southeast Region pick by PrepStar.
"People asked me for my senior highlight tape," he says. "I was like, 'I didn't make a senior highlight tape. I've been committed to K-State for a while.' I got some interest, but I'm glad the way it turned out, I can tell you that. K-State was home. It was where I was meant to be for sure. I'm so happy."
His happiness rubbed off. His younger brother, Jake Huggins, is a junior and a fullback for the Wildcats.
Today, Eli Huggins is a 21-game starter and a three-time Academic All-Big 12 performer who earned first-team honors each of the last two seasons. He earned his degree in finance and will graduate with a master's in data analytics in December. The plan is to pursue a career in the NFL.
"Hopefully with my degrees, if that doesn't work out," he says, "I'll find something pretty good out there."
For now, Huggins is on a mission.
"I know what's possible," he says. "My goal is to make First Team All-Big 12. That's what I'm striving for this season. It made me hungrier to know I was close (a year ago). I want to get it now."
There's no telling how this all is going to end. But here's what we do know: Huggins is excited for Saturday at The Bill.
"It's exciting to play a SEC team," he says. "I grew up watching a ton of SEC football. We've had great success the last few years going against SEC teams."
Huggins was there when K-State beat Mississippi State in 2019. Huggins was there when K-State beat LSU last year. And Huggins will be out there against Missouri, battling the Tigers, swimming past linemen, and chasing the quarterback. He came back for this. He came back for this rush. He came back to be with his teammates, and man, he came back because of his love of the university and his love of the fans and his love for big moments.
"The feeling you get when you get to the quarterback," he says, "is a special thing."
The beast comes out on Saturdays.
Players Mentioned
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