LAS VEGAS (KSNT) – The Big 12 Conference will hold its annual Football Media Days in Las Vegas for the first time with the addition of four new teams.
Colorado, Arizona, Arizona State and Utah will be members of the Big 12 starting in the fall of 2024. Kansas State will play all three teams except Utah, but the Wildcats' game against Arizona will not count as a conference game because it was scheduled before UA joined the league.
But there are plenty of other storylines to keep an eye on for the Kansas State football team heading into the 2024 season. Here are some topics that are likely to come up when Kansas State coach Chris Klieman and five players meet with the media in Las Vegas.
- Avery Johnson Time: Johnson, a Wichita native, was named the starting quarterback with high expectations from the team and the fans. He played in eight games as a freshman, especially in the game against Texas Tech where he scored five rushing touchdowns, and he was in the spotlight, but he never started as a quarterback until the bowl game. Will Johnson be able to meet or even exceed those expectations? Furthermore, will he be able to stay healthy as a quarterback known for his running ability from the beginning of his career?
- Two-Headed Running Back Monster: Kansas State's biggest offseason acquisition is perhaps the return of another Wichita native. Dylan Edwards, who joined the Cats out of high school and ultimately played his freshman season at Colorado, transferred to Kansas State with three years of eligibility remaining. He totaled more than 600 yards and reached the end zone five times for the Buffaloes as a true freshman. But the Wildcats also return a proven backfield wrestler in DJ Giddens. How do they plan to use those two in the running game along with Johnson? How similar or different will this plan be to how Kansas State used Giddens and Tre'Shawn Ward in 2023?
- Synnott and the offensive line changesCooper Beebe left Kansas State as one of the best offensive linemen in school history. Tight end Ben Synnott, who had 676 yards receiving in 2023, was drafted even higher than the All-American lineman. Who will step up to replace those two and the other experienced offensive linemen who graduated? Kansas State returns several offensive linemen who played a lot of snaps, including Taylor Poitier, Hadley Panzer and Carver Willis. Who else will start with that group? Can Garrett Oakley take the next step to become Kansas State's new starting tight end?
- New Playcaller: Johnson will take over at quarterback on an offensive line under new leadership: Kansas State promoted offensive line coach Connor Riley to offensive coordinator and hired former Texas Tech head coach Matt Wells as co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach after Collin Klein left to take the same position at Texas A&M. How similar or different will the Wildcats' offensive game plan be in 2024?
- High expectations for potential wide receivers: K-State hasn't had a receiver gain more than 750 yards through the air since 2014. With a truly outstanding wide receiver gone for a decade, can the Wildcats' pass-catching core be a real threat in 2024? K-State returns Jayce Brown, who had a stellar freshman season, and Keegan Johnson, who caught just 24 passes in his first year with the program, is hoping to get healthy and make a bigger impact. The team also acquired Dante Cephus via the transfer portal, who was a standout at Kent State before a slow season as a junior at Penn State. Additionally, K-State returns Jaedon Jackson, who caught 19 passes for 252 yards in 2023. Can one of these players, or the entire group, consistently give opposing defenses headaches?
K-State will send quarterback Avery Johnson, offensive lineman Hadley Panzer, linebacker Austin Moore, defensive end Brendan Mott and defensive back Marques Sigul along with head coach Chris Klieman to Big 12 media days.
27 Sports Director Glenn Kinley will be in Las Vegas providing live coverage of the Wildcats and Jayhawks on 27 News as well as K-Nation content for Sunday's edition. For more Big 12 football coverage, click here.
