MANHATTAN (KSNT) - K-State is tasked with replacing one of the nation's most experienced offensive lines from a year ago.
Hayden Gillum, Cooper Beebe, KT Leveston and Christian Duffie depart the program having combined for 185 career appearances and more than 140 starts. Beebe was selected in the third round of the NFL by the Dallas Cowboys.
Now, K-State needs others to step up. However, the 2024 O-line won't be without some experienced Wildcats. Hadley Panzer returns with 26 starts under his belt. Taylor Poitier was on the field for 363 snaps in 2023.
Conor Riley enters his first year as the team's offensive coordinator, but still coaches the offensive line and is closely examining the rest of the room to determine which guys should play most. On Tuesday, he said seven guys are competing for starting jobs: Panzer, Poitier, Easton Kilty, Carver Willis, Sam Hecht, John Pastore and Andrew Leingang.
Kilty is the lone newcomer in the room. He transferred to K-State from North Dakota for his fifth season of college football.
Riley and head coach Chris Klieman both had high praise for Hecht, a Mill Valley graduate, who seems to be closing in on the starting center job.
"I couldn't be more pleased with Sam Hecht," Riley said. "...For him to be a walk-on and earn his way into this position... His attention to detail, his [physicality], his coachability. He doesn't make a bunch of mistakes, he takes ownership."
Riley pointed out the fact that Hecht would be the third-straight starting center for K-State, after Noah Johnson and Hayden Gillum, who came to Manhattan as an in-state walk-on recruit before earning a scholarship and the starting job.
However, Riley wants more than just the seven previously listed to be available and ready for action this fall.
"I think our big challenge, and what they've been told, is finding that 8th, 9th, 10th guy," Riley said. "The previous two years I've felt really good about our depth on the offensive line. I feel like we've been fortunate to have that depth. Who's going to be that next guy that steps up right now?"
Riley offered shout outs for Alex Keys, Michael Capria, Drake Bequeaith, Jackson Fullmer, true freshman Kyle Rakers.
