Fitzpatrick Finding ‘Fresh Start’ at K-State

By: D. Scott Fritchen

George Fitzpatrick called his decision to leave Ohio State "a really tough choice," adding that "I needed a fresh start somewhere." Soon after the Buckeyes won the national championship, the offensive tackle found a new home at Kansas State.

"I'm super excited," Fitzpatrick said during his first meeting with reporters at the Vanier Family Football Complex last week. "I know there's a lot I need to work on and a lot to develop, and I'm excited about the opportunity."

"The hardest part was leaving my teammates, honestly," he added. "Kansas State is slotted to win the Big 12 next year. It was a great opportunity to come here."

The process happened fast. He said that he received phone calls from coaches the morning after the national title game.

"It was really crazy," he said. "It was probably one of the busiest weeks of my life. There were so many moving pieces. I wanted to be around and celebrate with my former teammates, but I knew that I had to find a new home. It was definitely stressful, but once I took my visit here and knew this was the spot, it kind of was a lot easier from there."

Former K-State quarterback Will Howard, who starred for Ohio State this past season, gave the Wildcats a ringing endorsement.

"He was definitely selling me hard on it, just saying how he thought I could fit in," Fitzpatrick said. "He thought it'd be a great fit here and how all the guys here are all hard working. He told me a lot about Coach Tru (director of strength and conditioning Trumain Carroll) and the culture here. He definitely did a good job selling it."

Fitzpatrick enjoyed his one year with Howard, who transferred from K-State to Ohio State prior to last season to play his final year.

"It was awesome," Fitzpatrick said. "Will and I got really close. He came in and totally took over the locker room. He's a real guy and a really good dude and a great person."

K-State offensive lineman Ryan Howard, Will's younger brother, nudged Fitzpatrick to the Wildcats as well.

"I've had some good conversations with Ryan, too," Fitzpatrick said. "It's definitely a good fit."

Fitzpatrick believes that he has fit right in with the Wildcats.

"All the guys are super welcoming, and all the guys are super friendly," he said. "One-hundred percent everyone just works hard. There aren't a lot of egos, which is really nice to see."

The 6-foot-6, 313-pound Fitzpatrick, who has two years of eligibility remaining, brings experience playing either tackle position. This past season, he played both left and right tackle.

He hopes to assume a critical role — the role of a leader.

"My own personal role is I want to be a leader," he said. "I've seen what it takes to go to a national championship, and I think we have the chance to do it here. I want to lead the young guys, and I want to prove myself to the older guys and go from there."

"Playing football up to January 20, there's a lot that goes into it," he added. "It was kind of a new experience for me, but I feel like having that experience I know what it takes. I've seen what it looks like to get to that spot. I feel like I can bring that here as well."

Fitzpatrick enjoyed blocking for Howard. He believes that he will enjoy blocking for K-State junior quarterback Avery Johnson next fall as well.

"I like him a lot," Fitzpatrick said. "The fact that he's so mobile will make my life a lot easier. I've talked to Avery a few times, and I know he's a really hard worker and a great guy, so I look forward to it."

The days currently begin with a 7:30 a.m. voluntary workout, then film study and individual work before going to class. In watching film, he familiarizes himself with the K-State offense.

"There are similar concepts to what we ran at Ohio State," he said. "Basically, the difference it word association at this point and technique wise. I know all the concepts and all that stuff. It's been going good so far."

Fitzpatrick allowed one pressure and no sacks in his career, according to Pro Football Focus. He attributed his success to hard work.

"They had a really good culture (at Ohio State), and there's just an expectation and a standard, and I know it's very similar here," he said. "Good coaching and a good strength program. It's the same thing here."

He discovered that — and more — when he took his official visit to K-State.

"I took an official visit here and was planning on taking a few more, but after my visit I realized I wasn't going to find a better place, so I signed on my visit," he said. "I made a really good choice."

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