K-Stated

Jacory Harris is one of the most entertaining players in all of college football.

When he is on, there are few better than the senior quarterback. He has a strong arm, fast feet and can drive defenses crazy with both. During his college career, he has thrown for 6,463 yards and 52 touchdowns.

When he is off, he can be the opposing team’s best friend. He rarely gives up on plays, and is never afraid to take chances. Put it this way: He’s a gambler, and his bets don’t always pay off. With 10 games remaining in his senior season, he has tossed 41 interceptions and rushed for negative 80 yards.

For those traits, some have labeled him a “video game quarterback.” Every play he makes is big. Some for the right reasons. Some for the wrong reasons.
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David Garrett will likely return kicks for Kansas State on Saturday. He is listed as the Wildcats’ main return man on kickoffs next to wide receiver Chris Harper on the team’s depth chart, and he couldn’t be happier about the new responsibility.

“My whole life I’ve been carrying the ball,” said Garrett, a senior defensive back. “When I got here was the first time ever I just played defense.”

It will be interesting to see what Garrett brings to K-State’s return game. He is fast, and given his size (5-foot-8) he should be elusive with the ball in his hands.

He will try to keep it simple.

“Just run,” he said. “Don’t try to dance. Just hit a hole if it’s there.”

But he, along with everyone else who will return kicks and punts this season for the Wildcats, will have a tough act to follow.

A year ago, William Powell returned 21 kickoffs for 726 yards and a touchdown. When Aubrey Quarles filled in for him, he returned 18 kicks for 459 yards and a touchdown. The year before that, Brandon Banks was a threat to score on seemingly every kick.

Can Garrett duplicate those impressive accomplishments? He’s going to try his best.

“If I’m back there I don’t want to be back there and not be great,” Garrett said. “They’ve had all these great returners. If I’m back there and am given the opportunity to do something, that’s what I’m going to do.”
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By now, it’s pretty obvious that players such as Tysyn Hartman, Arthur Brown and Collin Klein are excelling at Kansas State’s voluntary summer workouts. All three have been voted captains by their teammates, and all three were invited to Dallas for Big 12 Media Days by coach Bill Snyder.

But what about the players further down the depth chart? What about some newcomers? Who came into the offseason flying under the radar (excuse the cliche) but now has a chance to turn a few heads during games?

I asked those questions earlier this week, and came away with a handful of answers.

On the offensive line … “A lot of guys are working hard up front,” said Klein, a junior quarterback. “Clyde Aufner, B.J. Finney, Colten Freeze, I could go on and on.”

Aufner started eight games a year ago at tackle and as a senior should be one of the leaders on K-State’s line. Finney received great reviews from teammates at the end of spring practices. I will be surprised if he doesn’t start at center as a redshirt freshman. Freeze played in all 13 games last season in a reserve role, but could make a run at starting right guard this year.
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A week ago, 42 points seemed like all the Kansas State football team would need to defeat Baylor. Yesterday, holding Oklahoma State to 24 points seemed like all the defense it would need to hand the Cowboys a loss.

As it turned out, neither scenario led to a Wildcats win.

One week, the offense is good and the defense is bad. The next week, the offense sputters and the defense delivers. Clearly, K-State needs both to win games. Here’s a deeper look:
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Anytime Bill Snyder says he is curious about something, you have to listen intently.

This week his mind was peaked by the subject of Iron Man football.

Snyder began thinking about the topic when he was asked about defensive back David Garrett, who has proven capable of playing both cornerback and safety.

“There are a lot of players with the capability to do it (play multiple positions),” Snyder said. “It’s just whether or not you really pull the trigger to do it. David’s case may be somewhat different, because you’re not talking about playing offense and defense. But I’ve thought about playing a number of others on both sides of the ball. Thought about it quite seriously.”

Oh yeah? Like who?

“I’m not going to tell,” he replied with a smile.

Fair enough. Snyder can keep that secret to himself. It’s easy to take a guess at who some of those players are, anyway. Earlier this year he said Daniel Thomas would make a terrific safety, so he’s obviously thought about him. And fullback Braden Wilson said he would play both ways in a heartbeat. So I guess he’s on the list too.
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