Goal No. 5: BE TOUGH. Mentally and physically.

#5 Alex Delton

Redshirt Sophomore | 6-0 | 200 lbs. | Hays, Kansas

Courtesy Kansas State Athletics

• Position: Quarterback
• Previous College: None
• Projection: Second-String
• Status: On Scholarship

Alex Christian Delton (b. Oct. 23, 1996) is a highly regarded quarterback who has played sparingly in parts of the last two seasons. He will complete for much more playing time under center as a sophomore in 2017, vying to be the primary backup.

Delton graduated high school in December 2014 and enrolled at K-State a semester early, then played as a true freshman in 2015, but saw his season end after just two games due to an unfortunate knee injury. He earned a medical hardship and was classified a redshirt freshman in 2016, so at least the injury did not lessen his eligibility.

In 2015, Delton played in each of the first two games, rushing four times for 18 yards, including three times for 10 yards in the season opener against South Dakota.

Last season, Delton saw action in four games, rushing for 116 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries while throwing for 11 yards on 3-of-6 aim. He saw his most extensive action against Kansas, setting career highs in rushing yards (53) and attempts (12), while he logged 37 yards on the ground and had his first career touchdown against Florida Atlantic. (All of his passing yards came against Missouri State; he was 3 for 5.)

Delton was merely adequate throwing the ball during his first two spring games, but his running skills already are fairly breathtaking. He broke through as a passer while starting for the Purple team in the 2017 spring game, completing 21 of 33 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns, paired with 15 carries for 78 yards and a touchdown.

Delton was a four-year letter-winner at Hays High School, including during his final season under head coach Bo Black. He was rated the 23rd best dual-threat quarterback nationally by Rivals and 33rd by ESPN, while he also was rated the fifth-best player in the state of Kansas by Rivals and the top quarterback in the state by ESPN.

Delton was an honorable mention all-state selection by The Topeka Capital-Journal and The Wichita Eagle in 2014 after rushing for 1,519 yards and 17 touchdowns, in addition to throwing for 1,402 yards and 13 scores. He was named the 2014 Area Player of the Year by The Hays Daily News, while he also was the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year.

Delton earned first-team all-conference honors as a sophomore, junior and senior, and he finished his career with more than 6,700 total offensive yards and 75 touchdowns. He also lettered three years in track.