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49 MINUS 4 DAYS TO 2021 KICKOFF: Andrew Schmelzle

In which BracketCat counts down the 49th day until the 2021 kickoff with a profile of Kansas State defensive end Andrew Schmelzle.

By BracketCat
#49 Darren Howard
Darren Howard (49) was possibly one of the greatest defensive ends ever to play at K-State. Freshman walk-on Andrew Schmelze may wear the same number and play the same position, but I am fairly confident he won’t record 29.5 sacks.

NOTE: Kansas State has elected to advance players’ classification even though the 2020 season did not affect eligibility. Those who wish to take advantage of this extra year will be listed as a (“super”) senior again after their original eligibility would have been exhausted.

#49 Andrew Schmelzle

True Freshman | 6-4 | 207 lbs. | Sabetha, Kansas
Andrew Schmelzle
Andrew Schmelzle
Courtesy Kansas State Athletics
  • Position: Defensive End
  • Previous College: None
  • Projection: Redshirt
  • Status: Walk-On

Drew Schmelzle (b. Dec. 12, 2002) is a walk-on defensive end from Sabetha High School who plans on majoring in business administration. He is extremely likely to redshirt in 2021.

A three-year letter-winner for the Bluejays under head coach Garrett Michael, Schmelzle carded 184 career tackles — including 79 stops his senior season — and a pair of sacks.

He also rushed for 806 yards and five touchdowns in his career to go along with 618 receiving yards and seven more scores.

Schmelzle earned all-state honors during each of his final two years from The Topeka Capital-Journal and The Wichita Eagle, including first-team honors from the former as a senior, after he helped Sabetha to earn a state championship as a sophomore.

He prepped with current K-State defensive tackle Elliott Strahm, and also competed in baseball and basketball.

Schmelzle was originally committed to North Dakota, but decommitted in December 2020 to accept a preferred walk-on offer at K-State. He also had offers from Akron and Tulane.