Look at Kansas State’s defensive statistics and they are the first two players you see.
Emmanuel Lamur leads the Wildcats in tackles (41) and blocked kicks (2).
Tysyn Hartman leads the Wildcats in interceptions (4), is second on the team in tackles (37) and is third on the team in pass breakups (6).
Both players are extremely athletic and can make a wide variety of plays on the football field, but here’s what makes them such a special combination at K-State’s two safety positions: they are only sophomores.
Aside from a forgettable performance against Texas Tech, in which Hartman suffered a minor concussion, they have led Kansas State’s secondary to several impressive outings.
Hartman isn’t much for comparing those efforts to the rest of the Big 12, but he believes he and Lamur are doing well for themselves.
“We’re playing at a very high level,” he said. “We don’t make a lot of mistakes, and when we do we try to correct them as soon as possible. That’s what leads to our performance.”
Kansas State coach Bill Snyder said he thinks Hartman has a great career in front of him. He often speaks of Hartman’s intelligence, and it’s impossible to ignore his attention to detail.
“He’s still young yet,” Snyder said of Hartman. “But I certainly like Tysyn and the way he plays. I like his focus on trying to do things the right way.”
Lamur relies more on his athleticism to make big plays, and when he makes big plays people notice. Last week against Colorado, he twice came up to the line of scrimmage and made impressive open-field tackles to stop Colorado runs.
They were the type of hits that when replayed on the video board, it looked like the ball-carrier ran into an immovable object.
He also grabbed two interceptions in that game.
Snyder is proud of the way Lamur has improved this season.
“Just seeing things over and over has really helped him,” Snyder said.
Are they two of the best safeties in the conference? Like Hartman, I’m not quite sure where they rank.
But Kansas State fans have to love the fact that they get to watch them for two more seasons.