Two Kansas State football players announce transfer plans after regular season ends
Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman will need to turn a different running back next season whenever Deuce Vaughn isn’t on the field.
Joe Ervin, a 5-foot-8 sophomore who served as the Wildcats’ No. 2 runner out of the backfield this year, announced his intention to transfer and finish his college career at a new school on Sunday.
“I would like to thank Kansas State University for allowing me to be a student and play the game that I love,” Ervin wrote on social media. “I would like to thank Coach Klieman and his staff for everything. After much prayer and consideration, I have decided to enter the transfer portal.”
He is the fourth K-State football player to enter the NCAA transfer portal this month.
Tyrone Howell, a 6-foot-3 junior wide receiver, also announced that he will leave the Wildcats on Sunday. He will look for a new school after just one season at K-State.
Howell transferred to K-State after spending his previous two seasons at Hutchinson Community College. He caught seven passes for 98 yards this year.
“I would like to thank Kansas State University for giving me to opportunity to be a part of the program,” Howell wrote on social media. “I would like to thank the K-State coaching staff for everything. With long thoughts and prayers I will be entering the transfer portal with two years of eligibility.”
They both follow the departures of defensive back Aamaris Brown and linebacker Wayne Jones. The Wildcats also recently lost receiver Jaelon Travis, who was dismissed from the roster for a violation of team rules.
Ervin is the most significant loss of that group. The Rock Hill, S.C. native showed potential after opting out of last season by rushing for 322 yards and two touchdowns on 64 carries.
He was K-State’s clear secondary runner behind Vaughn, as he saw at least double the carries of any other player on the roster. Perhaps a change of scenery will allow him to compete for a starting job in the future.
The Wildcats will likely turn to Jacardia Wright and D.J. Giddens next season as their top change-of-pace options behind Vaughn.
Wright has rushed for 56 yards this season. Giddens hasn’t logged any stats, but he showed promise during preseason practices.
This story was originally published November 28, 2021 at 4:16 PM with the headline "Two Kansas State football players announce transfer plans after regular season ends."