K-State football has big expectations for healthy offensive lineman Taylor Poitier
When Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman announced last summer that Taylor Poitier was going to miss the 2021 season with a torn ACL, some shrugged off the news because they didn’t comprehend how much of an impact he was expected to make on the offensive line.
The 6-foot-2 junior from Bishop Miege had only played in four games for the Wildcats, and they all came during a COVID-shortened season that resulted in just four victories.
It was natural for some to wonder if K-State would really miss him up front.
But make no mistake: the Wildcats are expecting big things from Poitier now that he is healthy and poised to take over as the team’s starting right guard.
“Taylor Poitier might’ve been our best offensive lineman last year,” K-State coach Chris Klieman said last week at a Catbacker event, “but he lost his year to an ACL. He’s a load in there. We get him back, which is really good.”
That is saying a lot, considering Cooper Beebe was an All-Big 12 selection last season.
“He’s a competitive young man,” added K-State offensive coordinator Collin Klein. “He’s extremely twitchy and very smart, so when he gets a double team on him he works his way out of it. He is incredibly strong and he has a lot of snap. It’s huge (to have him back). It gives you a lot of flexibility in how you put the pieces together inside.”
Poitier is eager to return to the lineup.
Watching games from the sideline last season wasn’t easy for him, because offensive line coach Conor Riley informed him during summer workouts that he was going to play in all 13 games. K-State got by without him, finishing with an 8-5 record, and the offense flourished at times even while down a starter up front thanks to star running back Deuce Vaughn.
But coaches quietly wondered how much better the team could have been with a healthy Poitier. One of the things they like most about Poitier is his ability to switch between the left and right side of the line at a moment’s notice. He is the definition of a plug-and-play blocker.
How many more touchdowns could they have scored had Poitier not hyper extended his knee and suffered an injury that required surgery during preseason practices?
Fortunately, they will learn their answer next fall. After nine months of rehab, Poitier was cleared to return to full football activities the day after spring practices ended in April.
“I think I can help them a lot, honestly,” Poitier said earlier this week. “After missing all of last year I’m pretty sure I can be a good source for the running game and the passing game. I feel like all of us could really be dominant this year. I missed out on a good opportunity last year, but I’m ready for another one this year.”
Poitier is most excited to return to the offensive line now that Klein is calling plays for the Wildcats as coordinator.
While speaking to a crowd of K-State fans at a Catbacker event at Children’s Mercy Park, he described the Wildcats’ new offense as “an unstoppable force” that would keep defenses off balance with a no-huddle, up-tempo style that includes the occasional trick play.
“It’s a whole lot different,” Poitier said. “We’re used to kind of just downhill running and a huddle. Now we’re all over the field. A lot of special plays are going in and we have got a lot of special players this year, too. So I’m excited.”
Offensive line could have been a question mark for K-State on offense next season. The Wildcats return one of the nation’s top running backs in Vaughn, welcome back the majority of their top receivers and have Nebraska transfer Adrian Martinez standing by to take over at quarterback.
But K-State lost three starters (Ben Adler, Noah Johnson, Josh Rivas) up front. Under most circumstances, the Wildcats would have major work to do to replace them. But they like what they have in up-and-comers like Andrew Leingang, Hayden Gillum and Hadley Panzer. And they feel like they have a potential difference-maker returning from injury.
With Poitier back in the lineup, it feels like K-State is returning an extra starter on the offensive line.
This story was originally published May 26, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "K-State football has big expectations for healthy offensive lineman Taylor Poitier."