Position Preview: Tight End

Sept. 1, 201011:06 a.m.

Replacing Jeron Mastrud will not be an easy task for the Kansas State football team.

During his four seasons with the Wildcats, Mastrud was a big, dependable blocker and one of the most reliable pass-catchers on the roster. After grabbing 106 passes for 1,219 yards and three touchdowns, he moved on to the NFL and now plays with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Travis Tannahill and Andre McDonald will do their best to replace him this season, and coach Bill Snyder has indicated they may do so by committee. Read More »

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Wednesday K-State links

Aug. 18, 201012:21 p.m.

We have linked to numerous stories about Brandon Banks’ hot start with the Washington Redskins lately. So today we look at some other former Kansas State football players in the pros.

– For starters, here’s a look at how Jordy Nelson is fitting in with the Green Bay Packers.

– Darren Sproles missed the Chargers’ preseason opener with a bum shoulder, but the injury is not believed to be serious. When he returns, San Diego coaches expect Sproles to help make up for the backfield loss of LaDainian Tomlinson.

– Jeffrey Fitzgerald, who led the Wildcats in sacks last season, was cut from the Chiefs yesterday. Too bad. The Chiefs’ next preseason game is against Tampa Bay. He could have been reunited with former K-State tight end Jeron Mastrud and former quarterback Josh Freeman.
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Fitzgerald, Banks sign free-agent contracts

May 17, 201012:28 p.m.

Two former Kansas State football players signed free-agent contracts with NFL teams today.

Jeffrey Fitzgerald, a defensive lineman who led the Wildcats with seven sacks last season, signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Brandon Banks, a wide receiver/return specialist, landed with the Washington Redskins.

Both were standout players for the Wildcats, but neither heard their name called in last month’s NFL Draft. Nonetheless, they will each now have the chance to make a professional roster.
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Cosh will be only D-coordinator next season

Dec. 21, 20095:09 p.m.

Shortly after senior tight end Jeron Mastrud accepted a national sportsmanship award today, Kansas State football coach Bill Snyder said Chris Cosh will handle the team’s defensive coordinator duties all by himself next season.

“Chris will be the coordinator,” Snyder said.

Cosh shared that responsibility with co-defensive coordinator Vic Koenning last season, but Koenning left to take over Illinois’ defense.

That left an opening on Snyder’s staff, which he said will be filled in the coming days.

“I’m close,” Snyder said. “We’ll hire a secondary coach, and that will take place here pretty quick.”
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K-State hands out 2009 football awards

Dec. 13, 200910:09 p.m.

Daniel Thomas, Jeffrey Fitzgerald and Corey Adams were the biggest winners at the Kansas State football team’s annual awards ceremony on Sunday.

Thomas was named the team’s offensive MVP, Fitzgerald the squad’s defensive MVP and Adams the top special teams player.

There were many winners on the night, though. Here’s a list of them:

Overachiever Award (top freshman in strength and conditioning) – Braden Wilson (FB)

Red Raider Award (top contribution on scout squad) – Sammuel Lamur (QB)
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Banks earns top Big 12 special teams honor

Dec. 1, 20094:13 p.m.

Of the seven Kansas State football players who received individual honors from the Big 12 Conference on Tuesday, Brandon Banks was the biggest winner.

The senior wide receiver/kick returner was named Special Teams Player of the Year, making him the first Wildcats player to earn the honor. The last time K-State produced a Big 12 Player of the Year was in 2002 when Terence Newman took home top defensive honors.

Other 2009 K-State honorees, voted on by Big 12 coaches, included junior running back Daniel Thomas, who was named Offensive Newcomer of the Year, first-teamers Jeron Mastrud and Nick Stringer, and honorable mentions Jeffrey Fitzgerald, Tysyn Hartman, Joshua Moore and coach Bill Snyder.
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