1. The Wildcats always like to keep the best in-state prospects home. They also like to take a chunk from the Sunflower State each year. Defensive tackle Jaylen Pickle gets them started on that in the 2018 cycle.

2. Even better, he’s ranked as the third best player in the state of Kansas for the 2018 class. You’re not only keeping an in-state kid home but one of the best in Kansas regardless of position. The Jayhawks didn’t offer but that matters little to me.

3. He was on the sideline visiting for the Charlotte game this past weekend in Manhattan. Pickle passes the look test. That is what college football defensive linemen are supposed to look like. There’s little to no bad weight on him. There doesn’t need to be a body transformation once he arrives on campus.

4. He’s super athletic for a defensive tackle in Kansas as the first play of his Hudl film illustrates. Pickle leaps up for a ball at the line of scrimmage, intercepts the pass and takes it all the way back for a score. That wasn’t a typical leap you see from a high school lineman or someone that weighs 265 pounds.

5. I think the guys blocking Pickle in high school weigh less than me (180 pounds) for the most part. That doesn’t mean Pickle isn’t any good. It just means he’s yet to be tested. Sometimes that works, and sometimes it doesn’t.

6. Kansas State really needed defensive tackles in this class. They’ll probably take at least two from the high school ranks. Pickle fits both a want (since they took him first) and a need.

7. Defensive tackle will be a bit of a question mark headed into next season. Geary and Price both leave but Drew Wiley returns, as does Jordon Robertson, Trey Dishon, and Joe Davies. There’s going to be enough bodies but there should be an open competition for which ones will play. Does Pickle get a chance? Perhaps but I think he needs to grow into his body a little more and a redshirt year would allow him the time to do that.

8. 2018 Kansas State Commit Breakdown

9/5/2017 - Kaitori Leveston – OT – 6-5/290 – Waco, TX – 2 Stars

8/21/2017 - Jaquavius Lane – WR – 5-11/172 – Loganville, GA – 3 Stars

8/19/2017 - John Holcome – QB – 6-4/220 – Humble, TX – 3 Stars

7/25/2017 - Christian Duffie – OG – 6-4/305 – Houston, TX – 3 Stars

7/242017 - Spencer Trussell – DE – 6-4/225 – Arlington, TX – 3 Stars

7/23/2017 - E.J. Thomas – CB – 6-1/170 – Atlanta, GA – 3 Stars

6/10/2017 - Lance Robinson – S – 5-11/178 – Marrero, LA – 3 Stars

5/30/2017 - Wayne Jones – S – 6-0/190 – Owasso, OK – 3 Stars

5/7/2017 - Jaylen Pickle – DT – 6-5/260 – Cimarron, KS – 3 Stars

9. Commits by Position

1 - Quarterback

0 - Running back/fullback

1 - Wide receiver

0 - Tight end

2 - Offensive linemen

1 - Defensive tackle

1 - Defensive end

0 - Linebacker

2 - Safety

1 - Cornerback

0 - Athlete

0 - Special teams

10. Where Are They From?

4- Texas

2- Georgia

1- Louisiana

1- Oklahoma

1- Kansas