SLATE: Josh Youngblood signs with... Rutgers?

We’ve noted that for the most part, the wave of transfers out of the program this fall were largely driven by COVID. That’s still for the most part true, but in one case it may instead be related to either Kansas State’s reaction to racial tensions during the off-season or due to playing time issues.

That case is the transfer of Joshua Youngblood, who has announced his destination. The All-American kick returner is headed not to his hometown of Tampa, but to the wilds of Piscataway, N.J. and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, as reported by Chris Iseman of the Asbury Park Press.

It’s not an entirely startling move from Youngblood’s perspective, as Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano was a volunteer assistant for Youngblood’s high school, Berkeley Prep.

In other football news, the kickoff has been set for Saturday’s Senior Day game against the Texas Longhorns. The Cats return to the 11 a.m. slot, and the game will be on Big FOX.

Today’s bowl projection roundup: Both Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach at ESPN, as well as the team at College Football News, have K-State going to the Guaranteed Rate Bowl in Phoenix on December 26. They all have different opponents in mind, however. Bonagura says Maryland, Schlabach says Michigan State, and CFN says Purdue, which will make life interesting for our own Drew Schneider. Jerry Palm at CBS also has the Cats playing on December 26, but he’s downgraded K-State to the First Responder Bowl in Dallas against SMU. And somehow, inexplicably, Bill Bender of the Sporting News still has K-State headed to Florida for the first time, a December 29 date against Pitt in the Cheez-It Bowl, which will forever be the Russell Athletic Bowl to us.

The K-State women opened their regular season with a 66-51 win last night at Bramlage over Southern. Ayoka Lee led the way with 17 points, 9 boards, and 4 blocks; Christianna Carr added 15 points. Austin Siegel has more on the game in today’s Sports Extra.

We close today with a reminder that K-State will host Kansas City, or UMKC if you like, at 7:05 tonight on ESPN2.