62 DAYS TO KICKOFF: Nick Puetz

#50 Nick Puetz Redshirt Senior 6-3 | 304 Salina, Kan. Bio

Position: Offensive Line Previous Colleges: Coffeyville Community College; University of Wyoming Projection: Starter Status: On Scholarship

Nick Puetz certainly did not follow a direct path to K-State, a school that is a little more than an hour away from his hometown of Salina.

First, he went south to Coffeyville, where he played two seasons for the Red Ravens, earning multiple all-conference honors and national awards.

Then he trekked northwest to Laramie, Wyo., where he enrolled in January 2010 and participated in spring practice.

For whatever reason, it didn't work out for him up there, so he transferred back to K-State that summer and sat out 2010 in accordance with NCAA transfer rules, using his redshirt.

He was an extremely pleasant surprise in 2011. After the disaster that was the first game, the coaches retooled the offensive line. B.J. Finney moved back to center and Puetz stepped in to replace him at left guard.

It was a role Puetz did not relinquish the rest of the season. As K-State's lone returning senior on the offensive line, he will be expected to provide steady leadership and an example for the younger players who need to step up.

For his efforts, Puetz has been placed on scholarship for his senior season.