The KSO Staff hosted a chat last night on The Foundation, and for those who missed it - or just like reading it this way better - we've put together a Chat Wrap.
A few notes:
1. This is not copy edited like a traditional story, simply copied from our message board with some formatting changes.
2. Not all questions are included. Non-sports/K-State questions have been left out. We enjoy those questions and appreciate them, however, and if you want to see them go ahead and check out the chat itself.
3. This story is formatted so only KSO members can read it, not members of other Rivals.com sites.
young_cat: Who is the player we haven't seen much of on either side of the ball that is most likely to ascend to an all-conference player in the next couple years?
Matt Hall: I feel like the easy (which may mean 'right') answers are Wyatt Hubert on defense and Josh Rivas on offense.
So, I'll pick two more.
Defense - I wouldn't be shocked if Da'Quan Patton was an all-conference player of some type over the next two years. Starting linebackers at K-State typically rack up 90-100 tackles in the current system, and if he's a good player (I think he is/will be) he could have the numbers and respect to make it.
Offense - How about Nick Lenners? Random, I know, but he's a guy with a lot of ability and would really benefit from the chatter about including the tight end a little more. And, it's a spot in the league that doesn't have a ton of depth or big-time players, making an all-conference pick a little more likely.
Derek Young: Well, Rivas and Hubert fit the bill. So would Mike McCoy but those are cop-out answers probably. And Matt took Patton and Lenners. Outside of those two, I've heard good things about Jahron McPherson and Ben Adler (though neither will probably happen this season.
Chris Nelson: Hall and DY already threw out the best answers, so I'll go even younger and pick Lance Robinson. I was a big fan of his film.
bradyp08: Are you as concerned as we all seem to be over the assumption that NDSU coach would be first in line should Bill retire soon?
MH: Honestly, and I'm gonna show some stupidity here, but I was a little surprised by the level of disapproval for Chris Kleiman. I kind of like him as a candidate, and people who know more than I do believe he's been somewhat sought after in recent years and would be a pretty highly thought of hire within the coaching community. And probably a pretty expensive one. He wouldn't be by number one guy, and maybe my surprise was just because I've had a lot of time to process it, but I think he's probably a little under appreciated.
DY: I think I'm alone in not necessarily being anti-Chris Klieman. He can recruit his butt off, I know that. Or at least has had staffs that do and they're still winning championships. It helps to have sustained winning to sell and that is likely the culprit, but they are winning battles against FBS schools for kids and they never were under Craig Bohl. And the program hasn't taken a dip (like Boise State did after Peterson or Utah after Urban). Those would at least be the selling points of Klieman.
CN: I'm not freaking out over it, but when the time comes I hope we don't pigeon hole ourselves into only one candidate. Obviously, hiring a baseball coach and football coach are different animals, but one thing that struck me from the baseball hire was Taylor's comment about finding a guy with experience and success at the Power 5 level.
jah15: Any basketball / basketball recruiting tidbits to share?
MH: Let me think, here. From a recruiting perspective, not really. They're still holding on to that scholarship for '19, and nothing unique has really happened in the last couple of weeks. Staff is really jacked about Shaun making it. I know that's to be expected, but they really do believe him to be a difference maker and quite a steal for 2018.
Grant Flanders: Probably doesn’t count, but Big Gip heads to Turkey tomorrow to continue his professional career. He was in Finland last season.
KSUHOTDOG: Next football commit?
MH: I had said Brendan Hardy earlier today, but DY said Konner Fox. I'm gonna steal his answer now (muhahahaah) and say Fox.
DY: Konner Fox - TE
SnyderCats4Life: Any positive news on a running back?
MH: Recruiting wise? Nothing too new, although DY posted recently Breece Hall is still very likely to visit, as is Dinka. Stevenson has gone very quiet, which maybe shouldn't come as a huge surprise considering he did say he really wanted to focus on the season more than his recruiting.
DY: I got nothing on that front at the moment. But, in interesting news, a former top high school RB, that was at a 5-star at one point but finished as a 4-star, just transferred into Fort Scott C.C.. Kareem Walker, who spent two years at Michigan.
Cat 4 Life: Top 5 Favorite coaches to replace Bill?
Basketball record prediction?
Breakout/Surprise player for football?
MH: Five favorite? 1. Venables 2. Lane Kiffin - I mean, just cause. 3. Littrell 4. Seiler (if the defense makes big strides) 5. Klieman
I would need to get out the sked and really go through it, but I could see like 11-7 or 12-6 in the Big 12.
DY: 1) Brent Venables, Seth Littrell, Josh Heupel, Lane Kiffin, Blake Seiler
2) Overall prediction is difficult for me as I would have to go game-by game. I can give you league record prediction. Which is 12-6.
3) Already kinda been covered. Rivas makes the most sense, as well as Hubert. Matt mentioned Patton and Lenners which are also good answers. And i had heard about Adler and McPherson but that's probably two years away. I'll go Lance Robinson, as I think he ends up playing as a true frosh
spud44: True or False: With the new coordinators we see some more misdirection and creativity sprinkled in the offense this season.
MH: I'll say true, with "sprinkled" being good word choice.
DY: A little. I think more of a noticeable change on defense.
CN: I think we will see more, but how much more is still to be determined.
Panjandrum: Have you heard any other names outside of those on staff and Klieman for next HC?
Was Lowery courted after the season, and if the team lives up to expectations next year, percentage chance he gets a HC job by this time next year?
MH: I havent heard any names outside of the group you mention.
He was. Evansville had real interest, but he wasnt interested. I'd still say just 25%, as he would be very picky about leaving and would want what he feels is a perfect opportunity. Hes very happy here.
DY: 1) I haven't to be honest. There's always Leavitt and Venables stuff floating out there but none that I would deem legit.
2) I would imagine he'll have his opportunities but probably more up Matt's alley.
KSUKazoo: What's this I hear about Bill Snyder opposing alcohol in the stadium? Saw someone post it on Facebook.
MH: I saw it, too. Think it was Greg Woods with the story. Yeah, guess he’s just against it.
DY: I've seen it, I think in the Manhattan Mercury.
gunsNroses1: How many people will have completions? Not necessarily qb’s
MH: Put me down for fiver.
DY: Ha, 4?
jah15: Next basketball commit? Next basketball recruit to set a visit?
DY: Commit - Montavious Murphy. Ha. Uhh, other than that, not real sure. Taban seems more likely than not but kinda waiting on the visit.
James Bishop will be announcing a top 6 on August 8 so I imagine he's not too far from scheduling his visits. But have to think about whether or not they'd want him there same weekend as Mario McKinney or not.
Max Tatarrax: Any last second additions to the roster?
DY: think they're done. They reported for camp today.
tabulateshift: When will the pregame video/music change?
Does the team run out of the tunnel carrying Phil instead of the 4x4?
Prediction on the next athletic facility project (that’s not already scheduled)
McCoy stat line for the year.
Biggest change in play calling strategy by the new coaches( ie use te’s, screens, less predictable on defense, etc..)
DY: 1) When Snyder retires
2) Probably both.
3) I don't know a ton about the other sports. I would say probably some work to some extent on BSFS.
4) 60-70 carries, 320 yards, 2-3 TDS
5) Less predictable on D
CN: These are my wishes... Offense. More use of the TE, more use of the running backs in the passing games, more crossing routes from the WRs. Defense. Better designed/timed/disguised blitzes. Giving the QB more looks in the secondary, especially on 3rd down.
MH: 1. After Snyder retires
2. That would be sweeeeeeeeet. But no.
3. East side exterior work (I hope)
4. 62 carries for 357 yards and four touchdowns
5. I think there will be some disguising of blitzing on defense as opposed to walking the two backers up pre-snap and them sending them through the gaps they showed EVERY TIME.
blackEMAW: How many players leave the team before the start of the season ... or is the turn over done?
DY: Sometimes there is one or two.
MH: I get the sense it's close to done, but it does still happen everywhere this time of year. Put me down for one.
tabulateshift: Will we see a multi-back backfield with Barnes mcccoy(silmon, Warmack),
As ksulb52 has alluded to, why would the coaches not really pursue any of the players him and former players have tried to funnel to the program? Lack of confidence in their eye for talent?, think they don’t fit the “family” mold of player they are looking for,or just not wanting to use resources to chase highly rated players that they likely won’t land? Having an “in” on these kids has to at least help, and even if you bat .100-.200, I believe There is more reward than risk.
DY: 1) It's probably something that is used minimally but I believe so.
2) They just believe in expending that time and energy on other things.
MH: 1. I sure believe so, know it's something they've worked on.
2. It's a great question, but impossible to answer without a bunch of speculation. So, I'll speculate I think it could be any of your guesses (or parts of many of them) but ultimately I think it may just come down to a little bit of a need to control things and belief (maybe an accurate one) that they know best for their program and who "fits." Still, it does seem like an avenue they should take greater advantage of.
T-Crummy: 1) Any talk on who’ll likely be the return guys this Fall.
2) Heard a lot of talk that Norwood has become a players favorite.
3) Talk of an inside D lineman making big strides, wondering if it’s Mittie? 4
) What’s going to be the fallout with Urban Meyer.
DY: 1) Not really but it was Duke Shelley and Dalvin Warmack in the spring
2) Yes, true
3) I've heard good stuff on Wiley. Maybe it is Mittie, though.
4) I've heard 2 different things: That he'll be fired or that he's suspended 3-4 games.
MH: 1. I would bet right now on Shelley and Zuber
2. We have, too. I think he's been a very, very welcome addition to the staff from a player perspective.
3. Could be, but my best guess is it's people referring to Wiley (who DY correctly tabbed as beating out Davies. I was wrong, big deal. DY is so smart.)
4. I think he's gonna be gone. Like, he gone.
Catfanatic: Do we win our Markee OOC game against MSU or not? I’m saying we win a close one, then again I’m a homer.
DY: I think I have it as a loss but it is 50/50 to me.
MH: I don't think so, but I realized the other day I'm starting to get closer to liking K-State in that one. I used to be sure it was MSU, but the homer in me may be starting to grow as we approach the start of the season.
Don’t Fumble: What school would you like to see K-State schedule in the nonconference for football? Same question for men’s basketball?
DY: Mizzou for both.
MH: I totally understand the old Big 12 hate, that said Football = Nebraska Basketball = Missouri Sorry, I can't help it
Catfanatic: How does Murphy’s commit help us in recruiting?
DY: It doesn't necessarily. It helps them on the floor in a year.
MH: I think more than anything else, his positional versatility is what helps the recruiting process. K-State has a guy in Murphy who can play the wing or a stretch four, which allows them to really try and take the four or five best guys they can get as opposed to having to say “Shoot, we don’t have a wing, yet, so we better reach for …”
Chunkyboy69: Am I over confident in thinking Patton/Sullivan/Hughes gonna be the fastest/best tackling lb group we've seen in a while
DY: I think probably a little. I have been told several times now that they are definitely more athletic and fast but that it doesn't mean that they will be better because of other deficiencies that they do have.
MH: I would say maybe, yeah.
I think fastest and most athletic is likely, although Jayd Kirby was an underrated athlete. I bet if Kirby and those three lined up for a 50-yard race, he would finish in the top two at worst.
As far as top tackling? Kirby and Tanking combined for nearly 200 tackles last season as a pair, and I'm not sure any two here will combine for that many.
Not trying to be a killjoy. This group absolutely could be better than last year's and does have reason to be exciting. But, it may take a minute or two.
