KANSAS STATE WILDCATS
2012 College Football Early Preview
OFFENSE - 8
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 6
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Sheldon Smith-WR, Zach Hanson-OT, Colten Freeze-OG, Clyde Aufner-OT
DEFENSE: Ray Kibble-DT, Jordan Voelker-DE, Emmanuel Lamur-SLB, David Garrett-CB, Tysyn Hartman-FS
QB Collin Klein
Offensive Backfield

The entire offense, the entire team, lives and dies by the wheels of quarterback Collin Klein. Kansas State will boast two 1,000-yard rushers, Klein and 5'7 tailback John Hubert. The backfield is short on depth but what does exist are upperclassmen with starting experience.

Offensive Line / Defensive Line

For the ground success to carry over, coaches will need to restock much of the offensive line. This will be a huge factor as KSU is a grind it out attack. The line on the other side of the ball also has its share of question marks. They fail to get after opposing passers and must replace to full timers including All-Big 12 tackle Ray Kibble.

CB Nigel Malone
* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2012 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
KANSAS STATE 2012 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Collin Klein-Sr ..
FB Braden Wilson-Sr ..
RB John Hubert-Jr Angelo Pease-Sr
WR Chris Harper-Sr Tramaine Thompson-Jr
WR Brodrick Smith-Sr Torell Miller-Jr
WR Tyler Lockett-So Curry Sexton-So
TE Travis Tannahill-Sr Andre McDonald-Jr
OT .. ..
OG Nick Puetz-Sr ..
C B.J. Finney-So Shuan Simon-Jr
OG Keenan Taylor-Jr ..
OT .. ..
K Anthony Cantele-Sr ..
 
KANSAS STATE 2012 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Adam Davis-Sr ..
DT .. ..
DT Vai Lutui-Sr ..
DE Meshak Williams-Sr ..
SLB Jonathan Truman-So ..
MLB Arthur Brown-Sr Jarell Childs-Sr
WLB Tre Walker-Jr Blake Slaughter-Sr
CB Allen Chapman-Sr Randall Evans-So
CB Nigel Malone-Sr ..
SS Ty Zimmerman-Jr Thomas Ferguson-Sr
FS .. ..
P Ryan Doerr-Sr ..
QUICK TAKES
  • Collin Klein will be the best running quarterback in 2012. If there is a national MVP Award, he gets it.
  • Klein accounted for 69 percent of his team’s total offense. He needs one more rushing touchdown to tie the FBS quarterback record of 27 set in 2009 by Navy's Ricky Dobbs.
  • THE FLIP SIDE: No reason exists why the Wildcats cannot throw the ball more and better. Teams are gearing up to stuff the run and every single pass catcher from tight end to wide out returns. Klein just doesn't possess the arm, which is why he won't be in New York as a Heisman finalist.
  • The Wildcats are limited throwing the football, so much so they ranked last in the pass-happy Big 12
  • The offensive line work being done this off-season will be absolutely huge. If KSU wishes to continue living off of the rushing attack, coaches need to find two new tackles to replace two All-Conference tackles.
  • CB Nigel Malone, a junior-college transfer who was not even assured of a starting spot heading into fall camp, wound up an All-American. His seven interceptions led the Big 12. Outside of Malone, this secondary desperately needs someone else to step up.
  • While the overall prognosis of this defense isn’t stellar, this coaching staff deserves great recognition for the improvements made. The addition of Malone and Miami transfer Arthur Brown at linebacker helped the Wildcats climb to 39th nationally after ranking 119th the previous year.
  • Kansas State is just on the edge of that lofty Top 10 status. They won't creep into this spot unless they continue bringing in transfers to help build the defense, replenish a few key blockers and at least throw the ball with more efficiency to balance out the attack.

 

KANSAS STATE 2012 SCHEDULE

09/08 - Miami (FL)
09/15 - North Texas
TBA - Missouri State
TBA - at UCF
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TBA - Texas Tech
TBA - Kansas
TBA - Oklahoma State
TBA - Texas
TBA - at Baylor
TBA - at Oklahoma
TBA - at Iowa State
TBA - vs. TCU