Dylan Edwards Commits to Kansas State After Transferring from Deion Sanders, Colorado
Apr 28, 2024
BOULDER, CO - SEPTEMBER 16: Running back Dylan Edwards #3 of the Colorado Buffaloes carries the ball against the Colorado State Rams in the fourth quarter at Folsom Field on September 16, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
Former Colorado running back Dylan Edwards has committed to Kansas State, he announced on social media Sunday.
— ππππΆπ πΈπΉππΆππΉπ (@dylan_edwards02) April 28, 2024
In his sole season with the Buffaloes, Edwards led the team with 321 rushing yards and a touchdown on 76 carries. He added 36 catches for 299 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
The rising sophomore has three years of eligibility remaining.
Coming out of high school, Edwards was considered to be a 4-star prospect and the No. 11 running back in the Class of 2023 by 247Sports composite. A Derby, Kansas, native, he was also the No. 2 player in the state.
As a transfer prospect, he was also considered to be a 4-star and the No. 8 running back in the portal by 247Sports.
Edwards was originally committed to Kansas State in 2022 and also committed to Notre Dame before ultimately landing with Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes.
Now joining the Wildcats, Edwards will look to find a bigger role and raise his NFL draft stock. Playing for a pass-heavy team in Colorado, Edwards didn't have many opportunities to showcase his skills, but he made the most of his limited carries and found success through the air as well.
Kansas State is coming off a decent 9-4 season with a Pop-Tart Bowl win over NC State. The Wildcats have a new addition in the backfield and are looking to continue trending upward. Edwards will face his former team in October win Kansas State travels to Boulder.
Ben Sinnott NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for Kansas State TE
Jan 21, 2024
LAWRENCE, KANSAS - NOVEMBER 18: Tight end Ben Sinnott #34 of the Kansas State Wildcats catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown during the 1st half of the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on November 18, 2023 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'4"
WEIGHT: 250
HAND: 9 3/8"
ARM: 32"
WINGSPAN: 78 1/8"
40-YARD DASH: 4.68
3-CONE: 6.82
SHUTTLE: 4.23
VERTICAL: 40"
BROAD: 10'6"
POSITIVES
β Good acceleration and burst. Can cover a lot of ground with a few steps.
β Above-average speed. Not a true field-stretcher, but gets the job done.
β Above-average ability to find and shield the ball in traffic.
β Above-average strength as a blocker.
β Positional flexibility at Kansas State. Lined up everywhere.
NEGATIVES
β Poor technique and short-area mobility as a blocker. Too many bad angles.
β Below-average ability to fight at top of routes and use length to separate.
β Poor explosive ability. Lumbers whenever he has to stop and start.
2023 STATISTICS
β 12 G, 49 REC, 676 YDS (13.8 AVG), 6 TD
NOTES
β Born June 14, 2002
β Unrated recruit in Kansas State's 2020 class, per 247Sports
β 28 career starts
β 2022 and 2023 first-team All-Big 12 (listed as fullback)
OVERALL
Ben Sinnott is a TE/FB hybrid with a useful-yet-incomplete athletic skill set.
Versatility is a major draw with Sinnott. Although he's technically a tight end prospect, Sinnott lined up plenty in the backfield for Kansas State, as well as on the outside as a receiver at times. Sinnott played about every alignment you can imagine, which speaks to his capacity to handle an offense and wear many hats.
Athletically, acceleration and speed are Sinnott's weapons. He rolls off the line comfortably and eats up a ton of ground with the next few steps. Though Sinnott's top speed is far from special, he has enough juice to stretch the seam and be a respectable threat on crossers.
At the same time, Sinnott is a stiff mover. His ability to change directions is uninspiring, and he has no explosiveness in the open field. He is not going to separate on sharp routes or make people miss in space.
Additionally, Sinnott needs to show better ability to use his length and strength at the top of routes. He does not consistently create separation via physicality right now.
As a blocker, Sinnott is a mixed bag. The want-to and the strength are present. He gets after it and can easily hold his own when attached. Getting attached, however, is often a struggle. Sinnott is a stiff mover, which often results in him lunging and failing to mirror quick movements.
Sinnott is an interesting idea as a modern TE/FB hybrid. His acceleration and flexibility will be useful in the NFL. However, Sinnott's lack of a dominant athletic trait and some of his stiffness as a short-area athlete will be limiting.
Pop-Tarts Bowl Mascot Delights CFB Fans, Generates Endless Memes After Stealing Show
Dec 29, 2023
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 28: the Pop-Tarts mascot Strawberry poses for a photo before the Pop-Tarts Bowl between the North Carolina State Wolfpack and the Kansas State Wildcats on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Kansas State Wildcats may have defeated the NC State Wolfpack 28-19 on Thursday in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, but the football being played was just a sideshow to the main eventβthe Pop-Tarts Strawberry mascot.
The Pop-Tarts mascot drew much of the attention on social media after rising out of a life-sized toaster both before and after the game. And following Kansas State's win, the mascot was lowered back into the toaster and popped out as an edible treat for the Wildcats to munch on.
College football fans on X, formerly known as Twitter, couldn't get enough of the Pop-Tarts edible mascot, coming up with countless memes both during and after the event:
πΆIβm drunk in the back of the car And I cried like a baby coming home the barπΆ pic.twitter.com/ZyQhPOEmOn
A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT IT WAS MORBID, BUT THE POP TART UNIVERSE CANON IS QUITE CLEAR, TO BE TOASTED AND EATEN IS THE DREAM OF ALL POP TARβ pic.twitter.com/AAzMLrm9QE
Edible Pop Tart mascot, you have to stop. Your pastry too flaky. Your swag too immaculate. Your frosting too holy. Theyβll kill you. pic.twitter.com/33MLCLL7PR
ESPN literally said have no fear a giant Pop Tart will be eaten on live tv and just went to their next game like it didnβt matter to the entirety of the television audience.
If a bowl game doesn't end with this communal benediction, we don't want it.
"O Football, we ask you in the name of your Son Bowl-Game Pop Tart, to bless and sanctify this poptart man to the souls of all those who receive it. That they may eat and drink in remembrance of the⦠pic.twitter.com/3xzD4s5ZnB
The use of the mascot and the overall branding of the Pop-Tarts Bowl, which was previously the Cheez-It Bowl, was so successful that it generated more than $12 million in earned media for parent company Kellanova, per Front Office Sports.
If we're lucky, maybe the Pop-Tarts Bowl will be part of the College Football Playoff next year, which is expanding from four teams to 12 teams. Imagine how electric seeing the Pop-Tarts mascot would be during a playoff game?
Kansas State Impresses Fans in Pop-Tarts Bowl Win vs. NCSU After Will Howard Transfer
Dec 29, 2023
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 28: Avery Johnson #2 of the Kansas State Wildcats reacts after a 12-yard rush in the second quarter against the NC State Wolfpack during the 2023 Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium on December 28, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Losing starting quarterback Will Howard to the NCAA transfer portal couldn't stop Kansas State from winning Thursday night.
The Wildcats defeated the NC State Wolfpack 28-19 in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando as true freshman quarterback Avery Johnson shone in the first start of his college career.
In Howard's absence, Johnson recorded 178 passing yards and 71 rushing yards for three total touchdowns.
Meanwhile Howard, despite entering the transfer portal on Dec. 4, has yet to decide on a new school.
K State doesnβt seem to have missed a beat without Will Howard. Avery Johnson is putting on a show.
Johnson's performance intensified rumors that Howard, a four-year starter for Kansas State, left because of the risk he would lose his position to Johnson next season.
Tuned into the Pop Tarts Bowl and saw why Will Howard is no longer there.
After watching the 1st half of the #PopTartsBowl, I can see why Will Howard is transferring out of #KState. This Johnson kid is a total baller, hard to keep him off the field. #KansasState#Wildcats
In addition to leading the Wildcats to a bowl game victory, Johnson gave college football fans in Manhattan hope that Kansas State is set for playoff success behind their new first-string quarterback.
Avery Johnson stocks going up. Kansas State has a gem
So Kansas Statesβ quarterback is the new Will Howard eh? Weβll see him next year. K-State looks deadly going into next year. The BIG-12 may not be ready for them.
Kansas State running back DJ Giddens rushed for 151 yards and a touchdown during Thursday night's win.
Meanwhile NC State quarterback Brennan Armstrong threw for 164 yards and a pick while adding a touchdown on the ground in the Wolfpack loss.
Report: Chris Klieman, Kansas State Nearing 8-Year, $44M Contract After Big 12 Title
May 8, 2023
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 31: Chris Klieman head coach of the Kansas State Wildcats looks on during the second quarter of the Allstate Sugar Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Caesars Superdome on December 31, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Following a Big 12 title, Kansas State University wanted to show its appreciation for head coach Chris Klieman.
Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, the University is in the process of solidifying a new contract with Klieman that will pay him $44 million and keep him on the sideline until 2030.
Sources: Kansas State and coach Chris Klieman are in the process of finalizing a new contract worth $44 million over the next eight seasons.Β After winning the Big 12, sources told ESPN Kansas State is showing its commitment to keeping Klieman long-term. https://t.co/FFSYzAm82t
Klieman will take home an average of $5.5 million per year, and the deal will go into effect on July 1. Klieman has been the coach of the Wildcats since 2019 and has a 30-20 record with the program.
Klieman came to the Wildcats after a five-year stint as head coach of the Division I FCS powerhouse North Dakota State. He led the Bison to four FCS national championships in his tenure.
The 2022 Big 12 Championship was the seventh league title in program history and the first since 2012. The win was an upset, as they defeated TCU, who would advance all the way to the CFP national title game. After winning the conference title, the Wildcats would face off against Alabama for the Allstate Sugar Bowl, a game the Crimson Tide would win 45-20.
The Wildcats have earned at least eight wins in every full season that Klieman has coached in, and he possesses the best first four-season record of any coach in Kansas State history.
Deuce Vaughn NFL Draft 2023: Scouting Report for Kansas State RB
Apr 19, 2023
WACO, TX -NOVEMBER 12: Deuce Vaughn #22 of the Kansas State Wildcats carries the ball against the Baylor Bears in the first half at McLane Stadium on November 12, 2022 in Waco, Texas. Kansas State won 31-3. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 5'5 1/4"
WEIGHT: 179
HAND: 9 1/2"
ARM: 27 3/4"
WINGSPAN:
40-YARD DASH: N/A
3-CONE: N/A
SHUTTLE: N/A
VERTICAL: 35.5"
BROAD: 9'8"
POSITIVES
β Great acceleration and burst. Rips through the line of scrimmage and second level.
β Very good top-end speed. Can separate from the pack once he gets a runway.
β Good explosion and agility. Twitchy mover in the open field.
β Excellent pass-catcher. Shifty route-runner with wonderful hands, even in light traffic.
NEGATIVES
β Historically small build. Shortest player in NFL Combine history and in the 1st percentile for weight among RB prospects.
β Can be a little stiff in the hips at times.
β Poor balance and strength. Cannot move piles or fight through contact for extra yardage.
β 3-star recruit in 2020 class, per 247 Sports' composite rating
β Two-year starter, three-year contributor
β 2020 Big 12 Freshman of the Year; 2021 and 2022 second-team All-Big 12
OVERALL
Deuce Vaughn is a historically small running back prospect who may have enough athleticism and pass-catching skill to stick in the NFL.
Let's get Vaughn's size out of the way first. At a hair over 5'5" and 179 pounds, Vaughn will instantly be the league's smallest back by a wide margin. While relatively built for someone his height, 179 pounds is still well below the threshold for a primary NFL back. He doesn't have the bulk to survive a heavy NFL workload, at least not for very long.
Vaughn's size also shows up when it comes to strength. Vaughn is an energetic runner, but he doesn't have the raw strength to push through tacklers. He's quick to go down on first contact, especially if a tackler catches him clean. Vaughn also has little to no ability to push piles and fall forward through defenders. In turn, Vaughn's work between the tackles and in short-yardage will be suspect in the NFL despite some of his other impressive qualities.
As for those impressive qualities, Vaughn is a fantastic athlete. He is twitched all the way up, both as a north-south runner and as a make-you-miss type. Vaughn flies through the second level when he gets a crease, often erasing tackling angles instantly and giving himself a chance to rip off a long run. Vaughn also has the lateral explosion and feel in space to one-cut defenders out of their shoes without losing much forward momentum.
Additionally, Vaughn is a ready-made pass-catcher. He is an explosive mover in the open field and has a natural sense for how to work his routes around defenders. Better yet, Vaughn shows excellent hands and the ability to adjust to errant throws. Vaughn flashed catches both outside his frame and in some light traffic, proving he can handle just about any pass-catching assignment.
If Vaughn were four inches taller and 15 pounds heavier, he would be a Day 2 pick without question. The speed, twitch, and pass-catching skills he shows on film are easy to fall in love with. However, Vaughn is a major outlier when it comes to size, and that hurts his ability to be a lead back and puts his longevity in jeopardy. Vaughn will have to be a change of pace and pass-catching back, but he can be a very good one if his body continues to hold up.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah NFL Draft 2023: Scouting Report for Kansas State EDGE
Feb 16, 2023
MANHATTAN, KS - NOVEMBER 20: Kansas State Wildcats defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah (91) rushes the quarterback in the third quarter of a Big 12 football game between the Baylor Bears and Kansas State Wildcats on Nov 20, 2021 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, KS. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'3"
WEIGHT: 255
HAND: 9 5/8"
ARM: 33 1/2"
WINGSPAN: TBD
40-YARD DASH: TBD
3-CONE: 6.94
SHUTTLE: 4.34
VERTICAL: 34"
BROAD: 10'4"
POSITIVES
β He has good acceleration off the line of scrimmage to put pressure on tackles vertically when he does time up the snap.
β Sets up his pass rush moves well by getting to square and using head/shoulder fakes during the stem phase of the rush.
β Solid use of hands to defeat the hands and defeat the man as a pass-rusher.
β Impressive quickness and change of direction to win with inside or outside stick moves.
β Very bendy at the top of the rush with very flexible ankles to turn tight corners and take efficient paths to the quarterback. Helps as the looper in line games, too.
β Does a good job of keeping his feet moving through contact when working power moves. He can add that to his pass-rush arsenal if he gets stronger.
β Physical at the point of attack when taking on blocks as a run defender.
β Effective as a run defender when slanting. He has good footwork to gain ground both vertically and laterally with his L-step, takes on blocks with good pad level and can get penetration with a head of steam to disrupt blocking schemes.
NEGATIVES
β Inconsistent get-off overall, he takes a while to time up the snap count.
β When he isn't slanting, he has a habit of standing up out of his stance and taking on blocks with sub-par knee bend/leverage.
β Will get kicked inside by combo blocks from tight ends and needs to add strength to hold ground as a run defender. He'll likely struggle against one-on-one blocks from NFL tackles and overall, he ends up on the ground far too often.
β Lacks the upper body strength to get extensions and shed blocks from offensive linemen.
β Block recognition and gap integrity are poor against reach blocks where he'll give up the edge by ducking inside the block, especially if he starts losing.
β Also struggles to keep his hips square to the line of scrimmage when trying to set the edge.
β Doesn't use his hands when bull-rushing, allowing tackles who can absorb contact to latch onto him.
β Injuries: 2021 (Knee, minor, missed some summer practices)
β 27 career starts
β 2022 Honors: Second-Team All-American (Walter Camp, FWAA, AFCA, CBS Sports), Third-Team All-American (AP), Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (coaches, AP), Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year (coaches), First-Team All-Big 12 (coaches, AP), Lott IMPACT Trophy finalist, Ted Hendricks Award finalist
As a well-accomplished pass-rusher, Felix Anudike-Uzomah should have no problem making an impact on third downs at the next level. He's a quick, twitched-up edge who plays the hands well and might have the best bend of anybody in this draft class. However, his play against the run is a different story.
Anudike-Uzomah lacks strength and ultimately, ends up on the ground too much as a run defender. He really struggles against double teams or combo blocks and will have a hard time holding his ground against one-on-one blocks from offensive tackles at the next level. Also, his upper body strength is sub-par for the position which limits his extension.
However, the Kansas State product can be effective when slanting. That allows him to get a head of steam into blockers and his pad level improves to help overcome some of his strength issues. He's someone who you want to get moving to allow him to use some of his athletic traits to defeat blocks so a scheme that uses a lot of stunts and twists would be best.
As far as even or odd fronts go, Anudike-Uzomah would likely be best as a standup outside linebacker in odd fronts. That way he won't have to take on as many blocks from offensive linemen and can still be an effective pass-rusher. That being said, he'll still be more of a third-down player to begin his career.
Julius Brents NFL Draft 2023: Scouting Report for Kansas State CB
Jan 31, 2023
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 03: Cornerback Julius Brents #23 of the Kansas State Wildcats cannot make an interception against the TCU Horned Frogs in the second half of the Big 12 Championship game at AT&T Stadium on December 03, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'3"
WEIGHT: 198
HAND: 9 5/8"
ARM: 34"
WINGSPAN: TBD
40-YARD DASH: 4.53
3-CONE: 6.63
SHUTTLE: 4.05
VERTICAL: 41.5"
BROAD: 11'6"
POSITIVES
β Excellent length and size. Quick feet with controlled backpedal and movement skills.
β Form-fitting, willing tackler. Wraps up and drives feet on contact.
β Very good zone defender. Shows vision and understanding of threats in the area.
β Good ball skills. Able to run routes for receivers at times.
NEGATIVES
β Pad level can rise at times. Has trouble sinking hips out of breaks, along with occasionally jumping into his breaks. Allows separation at the top of routes.
β Sloppy technique in press. Doesn't move his feet on initial movement, causing him to reach and allowing him to get beat off the line.
β Average strength. Easily gets walled off.
2022 STATISTICS
β 14 G, 45 TOT, 3.5 TFL, 1 FF, 4 PD, 4 INT
NOTES
β DOB: 1/18/2000
β 2022 All-Big 12 First Team (Coaches)
β 2022 Second-Team Academic All-Big 12
β 2022 Jim Thorpe Award watch list
OVERALL
Julius Brents is a long-limbed athlete with rare size for a cornerback. He's also a long strider who needs a few steps to get to his top speed.
The Kansas State product has played from multiple alignments but mostly chooses to play from press. While there, he does a good job of using his hands to reroute receivers at the line of scrimmage but occasionally gets beat because of his lack of foot movement to stay in position.
He uses his hands very well to control receivers as they work downfield. With his height, he struggles to keep his pad level low when transitioning. Brents shows understanding of routes and where he should be in zone coverage but can struggle getting out of breaks at times.
The times he shows a quick reaction, he can stick to the receiver's hip and often runs the route for them. Though it takes time for him to open his stride and get to top speed, when open he is able to match receivers downfield.
When matched against faster, quicker receivers, he has struggled to match their speed and sink his hips. His length shows up mostly when playing the ball in the air, as he can locate the ball and displays good timing when contesting receptions.
Brents is also a willing tackler who isn't afraid to get mixed up in the run game. He does a good job of setting the edge but lacks the functional strength to control blockers. There have been many times when smaller receivers have gotten into his chest and walled him off from ball-carriers. When tackling, he has generally wrapped and wrestled ball-carriers to the ground with good security.
Ultimately, Brents has a blend of rare size and good mobility for a cornerback. He can be a good role player early in his career and has the skills to develop into a starter down the road.
GRADE: 7.2 (High-Level Backup or Potential Starter)
The 2023 college football season may be just over eight months away, but it's never too early to start thinking ahead. Last season, we saw the TCU Horned Frogs...
