Kansas State’s entire offensive line could return intact next season after Sugar Bowl
Cooper Beebe isn’t the only member of Kansas State’s offensive line who has a decision to make after the Wildcats take on Alabama at the Sugar Bowl later this week.
Three of his fellow blockers (left tackle KT Leveston, center Hayden Gillum and right tackle Christian Duffie) all have the option to return to college and play one more season with the Wildcats as “super seniors.”
That means the K-State offensive line can choose to “run it back” next year and stay completely intact as a blocking unit in 2023.
What are the odds that will happen? Higher than you might think.
“We definitely have been in talks,” Beebe said. “We have sat down at dinner a couple times and talked about it. There’s nothing that has been ironed out, and it’s still up in the air. But we are definitely in talks. If one of us comes back I think it’s an all type of deal.”
Should that happen, it would be excellent news for K-State as the Wildcats look to reload next season with star running back Deuce Vaughn potentially leaving for the NFL and Will Howard returning as starting quarterback.
It sounds like K-State offensive coordinator Collin Klein is expecting good news. He told reporters on Thursday that he won’t be surprised if the majority of the O-Line returns for one more year.
Beebe is obviously the biggest key to the equation. The Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year is only a junior, but he is a projected pick in the upcoming NFL Draft if he decides to declare early.
It is unclear which direction Beebe will ultimately lean, but he seems open to the idea of returning. His brother, Camden, is set to join the roster as a freshman offensive lineman. Playing alongside family and showing him the ropes would be a unique bonus that he would not experience as a professional.
“We have already talked about it a little bit,” Beebe said. “Obviously, there are a lot of things that play into it. My brother coming here next year plays a factor. It’s definitely going to be a family decision.”
K-State would have myriad options on the front five next season if all those players choose to return. Right guard Hadley Panzer is only a sophomore, Taylor Poitier is set to return from injury and Andrew Leingang seems poised to take on a bigger role in the near future.
The offensive line paved the way for K-State to rush for 2,725 yards and throw for 2,737 yards this season.
Returning as many as seven trusted blockers would raise hopes for the entire offense in 2023.
This story was originally published December 29, 2022 at 12:06 PM with the headline "Kansas State’s entire offensive line could return intact next season after Sugar Bowl."