Breaking down the five biggest surprises on Kansas State’s depth chart for Week 1
The Kansas State Wildcats unveiled their first depth chart of the preseason on Monday as they make their final preparations for a Week 1 game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
Few surprises were expected on the two-deep, as starting jobs were long ago locked up at quarterback and other key positions. But it turned out to be exciting than anticipated.
Here is a look at the five biggest surprises:
1. Freshman running back turning heads
Many expected a freshman running back to be listed behind senior Harry Trotter on the depth chart, but few thought that freshman running back would be Deuce Vaughn.
Turns out, Vaughn was quite impressive throughout preseason camp. The 5-foot-5 running back from Round Rock, Texas is listed alongside Tyler Burns as the potential backup ball-carrier for K-State’s first game. That comes as a surprise, given the excitement redshirt freshman Jacardia Wright during his debut last season.
But coaches have praised Vaughn since he arrived on campus for his speed and shiftiness in the backfield. His ability to catch the ball on screen passes and make tacklers miss in the open field could add a new element to K-State’s offense. At the least, he provides a nice change of pace behind Trotter, who has more a bruising running style.
Vaughn was a three-star recruit in high school and amassed 5,472 yards and 50 touchdowns during his prep career.
2. Bronson Massie starting at defensive end
The way coaches and teammates have spoken about Khalid Duke throughout preseason camp, it was hard to imagine any other player starting opposite Wyatt Hubert at defensive end against Arkansas State.
But it seems Klieman likes another player better at that position, as senior Bronson Massie earned the starting nod on the depth chart.
Duke should still receive plenty of playing time as his backup. And he will undoubtedly see work on third down. It’s also possible listing him as a backup was done simply to keep him humble. Still, it seems fans should keep an eye on Massie as well. Massie played in 11 games last season and make seven tackles. At 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds he won’t be easy to block.
3. Young quarterback on the rise
The last time K-State quarterbacks coach Collin Klein was asked about depth at his position, he said Nick Ast was the team’s No. 2 passer and Will Howard was No. 3. It seems like Howard may be ready to move up the ladder.
Howard, a freshman quarterback from Pennsylvania, was listed alongside Ast as the team’s potential backup quarterback on Monday. Coaches and teammates have praised Howard throughout camp, saying he is making NFL throws and could be the Wildcats’ QB of the future. It was only a matter of time before he mastered the offense and climbed up the depth chart.
It seems he has done that quickly. If Thompson is unable to play at times this season, Howard might be the quarterback Klieman turns to.
4. New faces in the secondary
A.J. Parker returns as a starting cornerback and Wayne Jones is back as a the starting strong safety. Every other spot in the secondary has a new face.
Minnesota tranfer Kiondre Thomas or Lance Robinson will start at corner. Jahron McPherson is the new starting free safety, with former quarterback Ryan Henington backing him up. And Will Jones is the new starter at nickelback.
5. These players “opted out” of the 2020 season
A handful of key players were omitted from Kansas State’s roster when it was released on Monday.
They are: defensive tackle Matthew Pola-Mao, defensive back Jonathan Alexander and running backs Ervin and Thomas Grayson.
Other than Alexander, it was previously unknown which K-State players had informed coaches that they intended to “opt out” of the 2020 season because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. Now, fans can prepare for their absences this year and hope they return in 2021.
This story was originally published September 7, 2020 at 3:41 PM with the headline "Breaking down the five biggest surprises on Kansas State’s depth chart for Week 1."