K-State adds to the 2017 recruiting class

Yesterday, BracketCats doubled up on on 17 and previewed both Aulelio Olomua and Nick Kaltmayer. Today we reach the first of the QB’s with Jesse Ertz holding the honor of marking 16 days until football!

JT hit us with some recruiting news yesterday as the Wildcats picked up a huge transfer in the form of Carlos Strickland II from Cal. Strickland is a former 4-star recruit who should step in and compete for playing time next season. He is currently a redshirt freshman so he’ll have three to play three when he arrives.

Strickland was in line to play this season for the Cal Bears, but he wanted to play closer to home. (Kellis Robinett, Wichita Eagle) His offer list coming out of high school included: Alabama, Clemson, LSU, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma. (Timothy Everson, The Collegian) He also ranked in the Top 200 players for the 2015 class, and received recognition as a Semper Fidelis All-American in high school. (Greg Riddle, Dallas Morning News)

Bring On The Cat’s offensive line preview is still to come, but something that will certainly come up during the preview will be the new look offensive line. All-Big 12 Center candidate Dalton Risner played right tackle during the open practice at fan appriciation day, which gave Junior Reid Najvar a chance to play at center. We won’t know until kickoff if this will be the norm this season, but it is an interesting development. (Ron Preston, Abilene Reflector Chronicle)

The cornerback position has recently undergone some upheaval but Duke Shelley provided some much needed stability last season, and he looks to build on his freshman campaign. (Ken Corbitt, Capital Journal)

In expansion news, candidates are apparently being judged on five different categories which are: athletic competitiveness, fan base, media market, overall reputation, and academics. With academics supposedly being one of the five criteria could the so called “halo effect” benefit schools like UConn and Tulane? (Jake Trotter, ESPN.com)

Moving on to non-football related news. The basketball team fell yesterday to the Kosovo National Team, 85-74, dropping their record on their international trip to 2-2. The final game of the Europe tour is Thursday against BBC Lausanne in Switzerland. (Kellis Robinett, Wichita Eagle)

Yesterday, the Wildcats hosted an exhibition match against Washburn. The Wildcats will officially open their season Friday at St. Louis. (Joel Jellison, The Mercury)

In Olympic news, former Wildcat Erik Kynard was unable to expand his personal medal collection as he finished fourth in the high jump. (Staff Reports, Wichita Eagle)

The former Varney’s location has a new tenant. Rally House will reportedly open a new store Saturday in the building that formerly housed Varney’s. According to various twitter posts the marquee will stay and the only thing changing on the outside facade will be the name. (Staff Reports, The Mercury)

In today’s discussion topic: Which game are you most looking forward to this season and why?

(Editors Note: Article originally referred to yesterday’s women’s soccer scrimmage as their first game.)