FanPost

Greatest Wildcats Jersey Countdown: #27

#27 Jaime Mendez (FS) 1989-1993

ALSO WORE: #32

Why?: Where to begin? Jaime Mendez was just unstoppable. He could close to a runner and level a devastating hit. He could drop back into coverage and eliminate and entire corner of the field for a quarterback. Mendez came to K-State from Youngstown, Ohio, hoping to make an impact for a program in need of a spectacular player. Mendez didn’t disappoint. He capped his redshirt freshman season with Conference Defensive Newcomer of the Year honors and simply didn’t stop collecting awards. That year he tied the school record for interceptions in one season with 6, a feat he would duplicate in 1992 despite C.J. Masters hauling in one more. From 1991 to 1993, Mendez never failed to make the All-Conference team. By the end of his junior season he had already broken Clarence Scott’s all-time interception record. In his senior season he captained the Wildcat defense to its first bowl win, hauling in two more interceptions that season. While never making an impact in the NFL, Mendez left an indelible mark on K-State, becoming a consensus All-American in 1993.

Career Numbers:

INTs: 15

Yards: 298

TDs: 1

Most Memorable Game: This one was too easy. In 1992, the Wildcats were facing Temple University. This was still a difficult matchup for the Wildcats, but Mendez took over the game. In the game Mendez picked off 4 passes, still a school record and those interceptions set up three touchdowns. The Wildcats went on to win 35-14.

Current Players on the Roster Wearing #27: Jake Huggins – Redshirt Freshman FB, Cameron Key– Sophomore DB

Odds to Replace Mendez on This List: Less than 1%. Mendez’s legacy is just too great. Neither Huggins or Key has seen any game action yet, and we must remember that Mendez was among the first Ring of Honor inductees, so to outdo him would take an impressive series of seasons. I just don’t see it happening from these two.



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