Bill Snyder high on Kansas State’s recruiting class, even if recruiting services aren’t

Bill Snyder was prepared for the question.

Is the Kansas State football coach discouraged by the low rating that recruiting services have attached to the Wildcats’ latest recruiting class, a 22-member group that Rivals.com ranked 76th nationally and ninth in the Big 12?

“I’m not interested in the rankings,” Snyder said.

Instead, Snyder is more concerned about the assessments made by himself and his coaching staff. Skylar Thompson, a four-star quarterback from Fort Osage, is the highest-rated prospect in K-State’s incoming class, but the Wildcats think they all have potential.

Snyder pays significant attention to a player’s upside during the recruiting process. He thinks this group has loads of it.

“We filled immediate needs if our perceptions are accurate,” Snyder said. “We will find that out over a period of time. It is not a closed class at this time. We still have a couple visits left … But if it pans out the way we hope it does, then we got reasonably close to filling our needs.”

The class, which features 17 incoming high school seniors, four junior-college transfers and one graduate transfer, is highlighted by Thompson and eight three-star recruits.

Snyder compared Thompson to a taller Alex Delton and thinks his dual-threat skills will fit K-State’s offense. Thompson is already enrolled and attending classes, so he may compete for the starting job next season along with returners Jesse Ertz, Joe Hubener and Delton.

“He is so athletic,” Snyder said. “He is athletic and he is a very hard worker. He is an intelligent, bright young guy who will pick things up quickly. Those are the key elements. I also like his ability to throw the football … We will define in the spring whether he can step in and compete immediately for a great deal of playing time.”

Snyder also added seven Kansas players — Shawnee Mission East linebacker Kyle Ball, Holton fullback Mason Barta, Bishop Carroll tight end Brett Bell, Trinity Academy running back Tyler Burns, Salina South tight end Trace Kochevar, Topeka running back Mike McCoy and Ulysses fullback Ian Rudzik.

Other promising players include offensive linemen Blake Hickey, Abdul Beecham and Breontae Matthews.

K-State lost four starters off its offensive line last year, so adding talent and depth at those positions was critical. Matthews was a critical late addition that could compete for a starting spot at either tackle position. The Wildcats’ class was ranked 86th nationally before he signed.

Defensive back Cedric Dozier, a transfer from California, should also make an impact next season. A former starter, he decided to graduate from Cal a year early and transfer to K-State, where he figures to step in at cornerback for departing senior Morgan Burns.

“What I like about him is the experience,” Snyder said of Dozier. “He has been a starter for an extended period of time in a conference where they throw the ball around just like they do here. You want guys who can defend well against the pass, some good one-on-one guys.”

Kansas State’s 2016 football signings

This story was originally published February 3, 2016 at 5:35 PM with the headline "Bill Snyder high on Kansas State’s recruiting class, even if recruiting services aren’t."