K-Stated

All three Kansas State quarterbacks – sophomore Carson Coffman and freshmen Collin Klein and Joseph Kassanavoid – aren’t exactly what Bill Snyder is used to trotting out behind center, but then again, maybe they are.

“All three of us could run this offense,” Kassanavoid said Thursday.

Snyder said the offense wasn’t complete yet. The coach said it would be a process in finding each of their strengths and planning accordingly.
At the moment, Coffman, who played a little last year, is atop the depth chart. It’s his turn, and he was emphatic Thursday about his chances.

“I got a taste, and I’ve been waiting for this opportunity,” he said.

He’s the frontrunner, and he has something to prove. Seems Snyder didn’t offer Coffman out of Kansas City’s Raymore-Peculiar High. Coffman said he ran some wing-T in high school, presumably which should help with the run-based portion of the offense that will likely exist.

And Klein, well, he’s the gentleman of the group. He’s a strapping lad at a legitimate 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds. Big kid, polite kid. He kept calling me “sir,” which was appreciated but not appreciated, you know? All he talked about was doing what was best for the team, which, and I know this might rankle some, reminded me of Allan Evridge in his freshman season.

But we know how that turned out.

Kassanavoid, though, intrigued me. He’s a different cat. Couldn’t stop talking about the physical side of the game, about how he couldn’t wait to start hitting.

“This offense is more run-straight downhill or option… This offense fits me better,” he said. “I’m not afraid of contact at all. I think it will fit me well.”

When Snyder was named coach, Kassanavoid went on the Internet and watched film of his old offenses. Growing up in Missouri, he wanted to play for Snyder. Then, when Ron Prince lured him to Manhattan, he thought he couldn’t wait to throw the ball 35 times a game, like Josh Freeman did a year ago.

He has switched back again.

“I’m the most physical quarterback,” he said. “I don’t shy away from hits. I run downhill… It’s something this offense needs, I think.”

He even likened his style to Florida’s Tim Tebow.

Discuss, please.

ALSO…
- Brandon Banks said he has to fully gain Snyder’s trust, but he might see an expanded role on offense and special teams, which makes sense with the abrupt departure of Deon Murphy.

- Brandon Harold likes what he sees when he watched Jeffrey Fitzgerald, the transfer from Virginia who sat out last season due to transfer rules. Maybe a little too much so.

“Watching Jeff do his thing, in one-on-one drills, he’s one of the smoothest players I’ve ever seen,” Harold said. “This dude is, like, smooth. That’s one thing I’m trying to take from his game. He’s one of those guys – have you ever seen one of those guys… When you’re a young cat at the skating rink… He gets old, 70 years old, and he’s still got it? He’s smooth, and I’m trying to take that. He’s finesse, very finesse. I’m more trying to get a little physical, trying to do both, to get the total package.”

Obviously, Harold is one of my favorite interviews.