LAS VEGAS (KSNT) - The Big 12 conference is holding its annual football media days in Las Vegas for the first time as four new teams join the mix.
Colorado, Arizona, Arizona State and Utah will be members of the Big 12 starting in the fall of 2024. Kansas State plays three of those teams, with Utah being the exception, although the Wildcats' game against Arizona was scheduled before UA joined the league and therefore will not count as a conference game.
However, there are plenty of other storylines to look out for with Kansas State football ahead of the 2024 season. Here are a few topics which are likely to be discussed in Las Vegas as K-State head coach Chris Klieman and five of his players meet with the media.
- Avery Johnson time: The Wichita native takes over as the starting quarterback with high expectations from the program and its fans. Johnson played in eight games as a true freshman, most notably bursting onto the scene with a five rushing touchdown performance against Texas Tech, but did not start at quarterback until the bowl game. Can Johnson meet or exceed the hype? Plus, being a quarterback known for his running ability early in his career, can he stay healthy?
- Two-headed running back monster: Kansas State's biggest offseason acquisition was likely the return home of another Wichita native. Dylan Edwards, who previously committed to the 'Cats out of high school before ultimately playing his freshman season at Colorado, transferred to K-State with three years of eligibility left. He racked up more than six hundred total yards with the Buffaloes as a true freshman, finding the end zone five times. However, the Wildcats return a proven force in the backfield in DJ Giddens. How do they plan to use both guys, along with Johnson, in the running game? How similar or different might this plan look to how K-State used Giddens and Treshaun Ward in 2023?
- Replacing Sinnott and the O-line: Cooper Beebe left Kansas State as one of its best offensive lineman in program history. Ben Sinnott, a tight end who tallied 676 receiving yards in 2023, was drafted even higher than the All-American lineman. Who will step up for K-State to replace these two, and multiple other experienced offensive lineman who graduated? K-State returns a few offensive lineman who have played a lot of snaps, including Taylor Poitier, Hadley Panzer and Carver Willis. Who else might start in that group? Can Garrett Oakley take the next step to be a force as K-State's new starting tight end?
- New play caller(s): Johnson takes over as quarterback in an offense that's under new leadership. After Collin Klein left for the same role at Texas A&M, K-State promoted offensive line coach Conor Riley to offensive coordinator and hired former Texas Tech head coach Matt Wells as the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. How similar or different might the Wildcats' offensive game plan look in 2024?
- High hopes for potential wideouts: K-State hasn't had a receiver go over 750 yards through the air since 2014. After a decade-long drought from a truly dominant wide receiver, can the Wildcats' pass-catching core be a legitimate threat in 2024? K-State returns Jayce Brown after a stellar freshman campaign, Keagan Johnson is hoping to be healthy and more impactful after just 24 receptions in his first year with the program and it added Dante Cephas via the transfer portal. Cephas was a force with Kent State before a slower season as a junior at Penn State. Plus, K-State returns Jadon Jackson. He had 19 receptions for 252 yards in 2023. Can one of these guys, or the collective group, step up to give opposing defensive consistent headaches?
K-State is sending quarterback Avery Johnson, offensive lineman Hadley Panzer, linebacker Austin Moore, defensive end Brendan Mott and defensive back Marques Sigle to Big 12 media days with head coach Chris Klieman.
27 Sports Director Glenn Kinley is in Las Vegas and will provide live coverage with the Wildcats and Jayhawks on 27 News, along with content in Sunday's edition of K-Nation. Click here for more Big 12 football coverage.
