Bring On The Cats - National Signing Day 2016A Kansas State Wildcats Blog -- Carrying the Banner Highhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47995/bringoncats_fave.png2016-02-04T06:30:03-06:00http://www.bringonthecats.com/rss/stream/105986212016-02-04T06:30:03-06:002016-02-04T06:30:03-06:00National Signing Day 2016: The Roundup & Breakdown
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<p>Now that the 2016 class is signed, sealed, and delivered, lets take a final look at the newest Wildcats</p> <p>Each recruiting class shapes the direction of a program. In 2010, a young man name <span>Collin Klein</span> signed on the play football at Kansas State. He was unknown, only had one D-1 offer, but a K-State coach saw something special in him. In 2012 a legacy, a young man whose father and uncle had starred for the Wildcats, joined the program after being only lightly recruited by the big programs in his own state.</p>
<p>These young men became stars for K-State. Klein became a Heisman finalist, and <span>Tyler Lockett</span> became a consensus All-American and a NFL All-Pro as a rookie. But those guys were un-heralded on signing day, just names in the crowd.</p>
<p>It's basically cliche at this point, the "K-State Way", the five-star-try-hards, coaches more concerned with player development than recruiting. It's generally worked well for Hall of Fame Head Coach Bill Snyder during his 23 years roaming the sidelines at the stadium named in his honor. He's gotten more out of his players than anyone else would think possible. But this may be the biggest uphill battle he's had since 2004.</p>
<p>It's not all bad. The 2016 class boasts a Top-15 Quarterback, probably for the first time ever under Bill Snyder. Skylar Thompson is the <a href="http://www.bringonthecats.com/2016/2/3/10891794/k-states-ultimate-pick-up-for-2016" target="new">clear headliner</a> of this class and will receive the most attention thanks to being on campus for spring practices. The QB race at K-State is wide open thanks to a bevy of injuries that derailed any sort of progression in 2015 and Thompson will have an opportunity to compete for the starting gig.</p>
<p>Joining him this spring are a three other guys who could make an immediate impact for the Wildcats. Abdul Beecham starred on the o-line in his only season, only semester, at Blinn CC, a school known well to Wildcat fans for producing future stars. He will be expected to compete immediately for open of the four open slots on the K-State o-line. WR Byron Pringle traveled an arduous road to K-State, originally committing to K-State assistant <span>Andre Coleman</span> while Coleman was still at Youngstown State. Pringle got his issues resolved and ended up at Butler CC where he used his size and skills to become a Top-10 JUCO WR. Joining Pringle at WR is prep athlete Corey Sutton, who has the potential to be a future playmaker. If QB was the biggest question mark for the Wildcats going in to the spring of 2016, OL and WR are a very close second and third. The early signings at least make some inroads into those question marks.</p>
<p>There are some guys who will be arriving after the conclusion of the spring semester that should provide some immediate impact too. JUCO OL Breontae Matthews should come in and immediately compete for one of the open OT spots on the o-line. <span>Cedric Dozier</span> will bring his years of starting experience in the Pac-12 while at Cal to a crippled Wildcat secondary. And DT Ray Price will provide some immediate depth for departed three-year starter <span>Travis Britz</span>.</p>
<p>As for future stars, Jimmy McKinney and AJ Parker are both flying under the radar out of Oklahoma. Both are receiving consensus "sleeper" status from recruiting analysts who cover the region. OL Blake Hickey was beating schools off with a stick right up until signing day. And two other young men from Texas, Bronson Massie and Jordan Robertson, could be future stars along the defensive line. Isaiah Harris drew considerable praise for K-State for his commitment, and could make an impact at either WR or DB. DJ Render has the speed and skills to push the veterans ahead of him at WR, and potentially become a future deep threat for Thompson.</p>
<p>The meat of this class is again a group of young men from Kansas. Three greyshirts from last year, three greyshirts for next year, a bunch of walk-ons, and one actual signing in Topeka's Mike McCoy. This group is what draws down the rankings in the recruiting services, because greyshirts and walk-ons don't usually get rated well. But these are the young men who provide depth and the occasional future star Wildcat.</p>
<p>While on a whole thus class looks below average, when the young men are viewed separately, and ignoring the lack of fanfare outside the top spot, there are= actually some quality young athletes in this class that have the potential to become solid contributors and maybe stars for K-State. It's easy to be down when there are less than a dozen Power-5 schools with classes ranked lower than K-State's, but remember that this staff is big on player development once in the program (to the detriment of recruiting, which should be the subject of it's own breakdown...). And be glad that this finally wraps up a less-than-solid 2015 football season for K-State.</p>
<p>Overall HoFHC Bill Snyder announced the signing of 22 student-athletes. 17 come from high school (with three deferring enrollment until spring 2017), four from Junior College, and one graduate transfer. Six preferred walk-ons are also expected to be joining this squad for next fall, five from the Kansas prep ranks and one from Colorado.</p>
<p>So welcome to the #KStateFamily the <a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/news/k-state-announces-22-players-as-part-of-2016-signing-class-02-03-2016" target="new">newest members of K-State's football program!</a></p>
https://www.bringonthecats.com/2016/2/4/10910462/national-signing-day-2016-the-roundup-and-breakdownJT VanGilder2016-02-03T17:24:53-06:002016-02-03T17:24:53-06:00Bring On The Cats on Wichita Sports Radio 1410 KGSO<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.kgso.com/kgso-sports-radio">Bring On The Cats on Wichita Sports Radio 1410&nbsp;KGSO</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Wichita-area BOTC'ers should tune in to 1410 KGSO as JT VanGilder breaks down the K-State recruiting class on The Game Plan with Chris Solwecki at approximately 6:20 AM tomorrow morning (Feb. 3rd). Everyone else can tune in online via the Listen Live link on the <a href="http://www.kgso.com/kgso-sports-radio" target="new">KGSO website</a></p></p></div>
https://www.bringonthecats.com/2016/2/3/10910270/bring-on-the-cats-on-wichita-sports-radio-1410-kgsoJT VanGilder2016-02-03T09:00:04-06:002016-02-03T09:00:04-06:00K-State's Ultimate Pick Up for 2016
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<figcaption>Could we be looking at the next great #7? | Doug Pensinger/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>K-State's 2016 recruiting class may be average, but there is one pick up that stands out from the rest.</p> <p>The right pick up can make all the difference to a program. Same goes for your rental car experience. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://f.curbed.cc/f/Enterprise_PickUp_PSLink">Pick Enterprise</a> and see how we go the extra mile for our customers every day.</p>
<p>Every new recruiting class brings its own set of expectations, promises for the future, and potential future stars. It's no different for Kansas State in 2016, but one name clearly stands out from the rest. K-State's Ultimate Pick Up for 2016 is Independence, MO native, 4-star QB <strong>Skylar Thompson</strong>.</p>
<p>Thompson committed to K-State back in May 2015, and never wavered from the Cats even as his profile blew up. It started in June, as Skylar made waves at the <a target="new" href="http://www.scout.com/college/football/recruiting/story/1554709-thompson-talks-from-elite-11-semi-finals">Elite 11 semi-finals in Los Angeles</a>. Thompson received offers and interest from programs all over the country, and of course heavy interest from other area FBS programs.</p>
<p>But that was only the beginning. Thompson led his Fort Osage team to a 2015 Missouri Class 5 football championship, first in the school's history. Thompson accounted for <a target="new" href="http://www.kansascity.com/sports/high-school/prep-football/missouri-prep-football/article47001290.html">seven touchdowns in the title game rout</a>, and also set a Show-Me bowl record with 455 total yards of offense.</p>
<p>He wasn't done there. The 6'3", 200lb signal caller started to rack up post-season awards. Thompson earned the <a target="new" href="http://www.kansascity.com/sports/high-school/article48601720.html">33rd annual Simone Award</a>, given to the top high school football player in the Kansas City area. In doing so he joined fellow Wildcats <span>Darren Sproles</span>, <strong>Maurice Mack</strong>, <span>Josh Freeman</span>, and the only two-time award winner <span>Dalvin Warmack</span>, who Thompson will join in the backfield at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.</p>
<p>Last, but most certainly not least, Thompson was named <a target="new" href="http://usatodayhss.com/2015/gatorade-missouri-football-poy-skylar-thompson">Gatorade Football Player of the Year for Missouri</a>. The award is given to not only great athletes, but those those who "demonstrated high academic achievement and exemplary personal character, including volunteerism, sportsmanship and community leadership." Thompson is a great football player, but also a good student and young man of high-character; a "K-State-type" of young athlete.</p>
<p>Oh yeah, that good student graduated from high school at the end of the fall semester of his senior year. He signed his financial aid <a target="new" href="http://www.bringonthecats.com/2015/10/20/9581147/skylar-thompson-signed-something">paperwork way back in October</a>, and held strong to January when he finally enrolled in classes and began officially attending Kansas State University.</p>
<p>So now the highest rated recruit in K-State's 2016 class in on campus, meaning he will participate in spring practices, off-season workouts, and will get a whole extra semester on all but one of his fellow freshmen on learning Bill Snyder's complicated playbook.</p>
<p>Competition at QB could be the most important battle for K-State in 2016, as it was in 2015, and Thompson will be in the thick of it. He's got some stiff competiton, as <span>Jesse Ertz</span>, a former Iowa Gatorade Football player of the Year, and <span>Alex Delton</span>, an early-enrollee in 2015, will be back from injuries that prematurely ended their 2015 seasons and will be ready to compete hard for the starting gig in 2016. But Skylar Thompson will have every opportunity to earn his place on the depth chart in 2016.</p>
https://www.bringonthecats.com/2016/2/3/10891794/k-states-ultimate-pick-up-for-2016JT VanGilder2016-02-03T07:00:06-06:002016-02-03T07:00:06-06:00National Signing Day 2016 Open Thread
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<figcaption>Welcome to the #FAMILY | Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Warm up those fax machines, lets get this thing started!</p> <p>It's here again, the first day that high school athletes (and some junior college ones) wishing to compete at an NCAA-governed institution can officially sign, and fax to their school of choice, their National Letter of Intent. This effectively ends the 2015-16 recruiting cycle, and provides some final measure of closure on the 2015 football season as teams look forward to spring practices and preparations for the 2016 season.</p>
<p>For all the official bio's and announcements, be sure to check out <a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/page/signingday" target="new">K-State Sports Official Recruiting Portal</a>, and new this year is the <strike>#KSTATEMENT16</strike> #KStateFamily Twitter hashtag to follow along with their live commitment tweets.</p>
<p>And be sure a check back later today for a full recap of the class as signed.</p>
<p>But for now, this is your Open Thread for National Signing Day. Let those NLIs start rolling in!</p>
<h2>The 2016 Recruiting Class</h2>
<p><i>Names in <b>BOLD</b> have officially signed and/or are on campus (as of 3:30 pm CST)</i></p>
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<strong>Kyle Ball</strong>, DE, Shawnee Mission, KS (Shawnee Mission East)
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<strong>Abdul Beecham</strong>, OL, Converse, TX (Blinn (TX) CC)
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<strong>Brett Bell</strong>, TE, Wichita, KS (Bishop Carroll)
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<strong>Tyler Burns</strong>, ATH, Wichita, KS (Trinity)
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Javier Craft, DB, Greenwood Village, CO (Cherry Creek) <em>preferred walk-on</em>
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<strong>Cedric Dozier</strong>, CB, Roanoke, AL (U. of Cal.-Berkeley)
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<strong>Isaiah Harris</strong>, ATH, Fort Worth, TX (All Saints Episcopal)
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<strong>Blake Hickey</strong>, OL, Godley, TX (Godley)
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Tom Killilea, OL, Overland Park, KS (St. Thomas Aquinas) <em>preferred walk-on</em>
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<strong>Nick Lenners</strong>, TE, Lincoln, NE (Lincoln Southwest)
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Gavin Lively, ATH, Norton, KS (Norton) <em>preferred walk-on</em>
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<strong>Bronson Massie</strong>, DE, Lufkin, TX (Lufkin)
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<strong>Breontae Matthews</strong>, OT, District Heights, MD (Fullerton (CA) JC)
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<strong>Mike McCoy</strong>, RB, Topeka, KS (Topeka)
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<strong>Jimmy McKinney</strong>, LB, Oologah, OK (Oologah)
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Brock Monty, ATH, Wichita, KS (Kapaun Mt. Carmel) <em>preferred walk-on</em>
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<strong>AJ Parker</strong>, DB, Bartlesville, OK (Bartlesville)
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<strong>Raymon Price</strong>, DT, Long Beach, CA (Cerritos College in Norwalk, CA)
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<strong>Byron Pringle</strong>, WR, Tampa, FL (Butler (KS) CC)
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<strong>D.J. Render</strong>, WR, Kennesaw, Ga. (North Cobb)
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Kaeson Risner, ATH, Wiggins, CO (Wiggins) <em>preferred walk-on</em>
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<strong>Jordan Robertson</strong>, DE, Dallas, TX (Bishop Dunne)
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<strong>Corey Sutton</strong>, WR, Charlotte, N.C. (Mallard Creek)
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<strong>Skylar Thompson</strong> QB, Independence, MO (Ft. Osage)
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<h5>2016 Greyshirts</h5>
<p><em>Will sign LOI today, but defer enrollment and eligibility until 2017.</em></p>
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<strong>Mason Barta</strong>, LB, Holton, KS (Holton) <em>2016 greyshirt</em>
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Kaelin Key, DT, Shawnee Mission, KS (Bishop Miege) <em>2016 greyshirt</em>
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<strong>Trace Kochevar</strong>, TE, Salina, KS (Salina South) <em>2016 greyshirt</em>
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<strong>Ian Rudzik</strong>, LB, Ulysses, KS (Ulysses) <em>2016 greyshirt</em>
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<h5>UPDATE<h5>
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<p>Bill Snyder confirmed in his press conference that <strong>Justin Silmon</strong>, RB, has been awarded a scholarship and will count towards the 2016 recruiting class.</p>
https://www.bringonthecats.com/2016/2/3/10900822/national-signing-day-2016-open-threadJT VanGilder2016-01-31T20:00:01-06:002016-01-31T20:00:01-06:00Oklahoma DB Chooses K-State<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/parkersisland/status/693972278749442048">Oklahoma DB Chooses&nbsp;K-State</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>2-star Bartlesville DB chooses K-State over offers from Wyoming, Central Arkansas, and Idaho</p></p></div>
https://www.bringonthecats.com/2016/1/31/10881934/oklahoma-db-chooses-k-stateJT VanGilder2016-01-31T17:26:42-06:002016-01-31T17:26:42-06:00National Signing Day 2016: Who We Think We Have
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<p>Lets take a look at all the guys who have verbally pledged to K-State for the 2016 class.</p> <p>As National Signing Day approaches rapidly, lets take this opportunity to breakdown who has verbally committed to Kansas State, and will (hopefully) sign their National Letter of Intent and fax it to K-State on Tuesday (seriously, can we not just let them scan and email it??). Of course this list may (and likely will) change in the next couple days as recruiting classes finalize and last minute pushes are made. If you haven't already seen it, we broke-down <a href="http://www.bringonthecats.com/2016/1/28/10861170/national-signing-day-2016-who-we-know" target="new">the guys who are already on campus</a> the other day.</p>
<h2>Who We Think We Have</h2>
<h4>High School Athletes</h4>
<p><em>Disclaimer: This list is subject to change after posting due to nature of recruiting. Also, where possible we will try to notate when we assume an athlete is going to greyshirt, but there will be some we miss.</em></p>
<p><strong>Mason Barta</strong>, <em>greyshirt for 2017/walk-on</em>, is a 6'2", 205lb 2-star LB from Holton, KS (Holton). Mason <a href="http://www.holtonrecorder.net/sports/bartas-path-football-success-familiar-one" target="new">is the son of former K-State star</a> Brooks Barta (and Mason's HS coach at Holton). Mason has been committed since late August and held and offer from KU as well as several <strike>other</strike> FCS schools, including Cornell. Hopefully in a few years Mason can live up to the Barta name. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1834752/mason-barta" target="new">Hudl Highlights</a></p>
<p><strong>Javier Craft</strong>, <em><strike>greyshirt for 2017</strike>/walk-on</em>, is a 5'11", 170lb un-rated DB from Greenwood Village, CO (Cherry Creek). Jeff Stroud at Scout.com talked to Craft after his decision on January 29th, and we find out that <a href="http://www.scout.com/high-school/colorado/story/1637614-craft-talks-decision" target="new">Coach Hayes coached Craft's dad</a> in the NFL in New Orleans. Always nice to pick up a kid with an NFL pedigree. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4175676/javier-craft" target="new">Hudl Highlights</a></p>
<p><strong>Isaiah Harris</strong> is a 5'10", 170lb 2-star Athlete from Fort Worth, TX (All Saints Episcopal). Harris's commitment back in August drew some <a href="http://www.scout.com/player/197883-isaiah-harris" target="new">praise from Scout.com</a> on Harris and K-State's prowess in Texas. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1293013/isaiah-harris" target="new">Hudl Highlights</a></p>
<p><strong>Blake Hickey</strong> is a 6'3", 275lb 3-star O/D-Lineman from Godley, TX (Godley). Hickey has been committed to K-State <a href="http://www.cleburnetimesreview.com/sports/godley-s-hickey-gives-verbal-commitment-to-k-state/article_f43cfca6-36c7-11e5-a536-9bb0c3c29cff.html" target="new">since late July</a>, and holds a rather impressive offer list that includes Cal, Houston, Memphis, and Duke; as well as interest from most of the big Texas and Oklahoma schools. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1636972/blake-hickey" target="new">Hudl Highlights</a></p>
<p><strong>Kaelin Key</strong>, <em>greyshirt for 2017/<strike>walk-on</strike></em>, is a 6'1", 285lb un-rated DT from Shawnee Mission, KS (Bishop Miega). Key was a member of the <a href="http://www.kansas.com/sports/high-school/article47446900.html" target="new">Wichita Eagle Top 11</a> football team. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1583732/kaelin-key" target="new">Hudl Highlights</a></p>
<p><strong>Tom Killilea</strong>, <em><strike>greyshirt for 2017</strike>/walk-on</em>, is a 6'6", 270lb un-rated OL from Overland Park, KS (St. Thomas Aquinas). Killilea chose a greyshirt offer from K-State over offers from New Mexico and a slew of FCS programs, as well as interest from regional FBS schools. Killilea was <a href="https://kansasgridiron.n.rivals.com/news/kansasgridiron-top-25-tom-killilea" target="new">#19 on KansasGridiron.com's list</a> of the Top 25 players in the State of Kansas for 2015. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3145785/tom-killilea" target="new">Hudl Highlights</a></p>
<p><strong>Trace Kochevar</strong>, <em>greyshirt for 2017</em>, is a 6'7", 230lb un-rated TE from Salina, KS (Salina South). Kochevar chose to <a href="http://www.salina.com/sports/purple-passion-football-leads-kochevar-to-k-state/article_021144b9-ed27-5aaa-89b1-f562527976a6.html" target="new">greyshirt for K-State</a> over an offer from Wyoming and a couple of FCS programs. Kochevar has the frame and experience to play OT at K-State. Kochevar is also a stand-out basketball palyer at Salina South. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1359425/trace-kochevar" target="new">Hudl Highlights</a></p>
<p><strong>Nick Lenners</strong> is a 6'4", 240lb 3-star TE from Lincoln, NE (Lincoln Southwest). Lenners was the <a href="http://www.bringonthecats.com/recruiting/2015/2/12/8032345/starting-out-strong-kansas-state-nabs-its-first-commit-of-2016" target="new">second commitment for the 2016 class</a>, pledging to K-State the weekend after NSD 2015. He became the earliest commitment for K-State after Xavier Kelly de-committed. He received some interest from the other FBS programs in the area, but his only offer was from K-State. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2921749/nick-lenners" target="new">Hudl Highlights</a></p>
<p><strong>Bronson Massie</strong> is a 6'4", 220lb 3-star DE from Lufkin, TX (Lufkin). Massie committed <a href="http://www.scout.com/college/football/recruiting/story/1622700-bronson-massie-commits-to-kansas-state" target="new">after his official visit</a> back in December. Massie chose K-State over offers from Cal, Washington, and Louisiana Tech (amogn others, and had intrest from LSU, Oklahoma St, Michigan St, and Texas. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3347330/bronson-massie" target="new">Hudl Highlights</a></p>
<p><strong>Jimmy McKinney</strong> is a 6'0", 230lb 3-star LB from Oologah, OK (Oologah). McKinney <a href="http://www.tulsaworld.com/blogs/sports/highschools/high-schools-oologah-s-jimmy-mckinney-commits-to-kansas-state/article_2e94ec55-13eb-5ca2-bea8-44827cc9e7db.html" target="new">committed in early August</a> over several other offers including Colorado St, Arkansas St, Navy, and Air Force. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1684430/jimmy-mckinney" target="new">Hudl Highlights</a></p>
<p><strong>D.J. Render</strong> is a 6'0", 170lb 2-star WR from Kennesaw, GA (North Cobb). Render <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article25308931.html" target="new">committed in June</a> over a smattering of offers from schools in and near Georgia. While his primary position is receiver, Render did spend time at defensive back in high school. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2662952/dj-render" target="new">Hudl Highlights</a></p>
<p><strong>Jordan Robertson</strong> is a 6'4", 255lb 2-star DE from Dallas, TX (Bishop Dunne). Dunne <a href="http://www.bringonthecats.com/recruiting/2015/8/7/9119565/de-dt-jordon-robertson-commits-to-kansas-state" target="new">committed in early August</a> over offers from Tennessee, Iowa, and SMU among others. Robertson has the frame to gain some weight <a href="http://www.scout.com/college/football/recruiting/story/1574469-analysis-of-k-state-commit-jordon-robertson" target="new">and move inside if needed</a> (or, at the very least in K-State's rush package). <a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2894845/jordon-robertson" target="new">Hudl Highlights</a></p>
<p><strong>Ian Rudzik</strong>, <em>greyshirt for 2017/<strike>walk-on</strike></em>, is a 6'2" 220lb LB from Ulysses, KS (Ulysses). Rudzik, who also played RB in high school, was very lightly recruited <a href="http://www.kansas.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/bob-lutz/article48210945.html" target="new">despite being a Wichita Eagle All-State Top 11</a>. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3106981/ian-rudzik" target="new">Hudl Highlights</a></p>
<h4>Junior College/Transfer Athletes</h4>
<p><strong>Breontae Matthews</strong> is a 6'5", 315lb 3-star OT from District Heights, MD via Fullteron JC, Fullerton, CA. Matthews <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article56506438.html" target="new">chose K-State over offers</a> from Arizona State, Iowa State, and Missouri among others. Matthews could have an immediate impact at either tackle spot, though his position of choice is LT. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1109366/breontae-matthews" target="new">Hudl Highlights</a></p>
<p><strong>Raymon Price</strong> is a 6'2", 290lb 2-star DT from Long Beach, CA via Cerritos College in Norwalk, CA. Price was the <a href="http://cerritosfalcons.com/sports/fball/2015-16/releases/20151208qa1mi7" target="new">conference Defensive PotY</a> for the 2015 season. Price committed to K-State during his official visit this weekend over an offer from Eastern Michigan. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3921822/ray-price" target="new">Hudl Highlights</a></p>
<p><strong><span>Cedric Dozier</span></strong> is a 5'10", 180lb CB who has graduated from Cal and will spend his <a href="http://www.bringonthecats.com/2016/1/23/10820650/graduate-transfer-cedric-dozier-commits-to-k-state" target="new">final year of eligibility at K-State</a>. Dozier was originally a 4-star recruit out of Lakewood, WA (Lakes), as has been a 2-year starter at CB for Cal, but originally started his career at Cal as a WR. Dozier will look to make an immediate impact at CB for the Wildcats.</p>
<p>This class still has a number of question marks, and hopefully there are a few changes between now and Tuesday, February 2nd. However, there are some important pieces to the immediate and future success of Kansas State football in this class.</p>
<p>#####</p>
<h4>UPDATES</h4>
<p><strong>AJ Parker</strong> is a 6'0" 160lb 2-star DB out of Bartlesville, OK (Bartlesville). Parker <a href="http://www.bringonthecats.com/2016/1/31/10881934/oklahoma-db-chooses-k-state" target="new">had offers from Wyoming, Central Arkansas,</a> Idaho, and Air Force, whom he had originally committed to a couple weeks ago. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2931729/aj-parker" target="new">Hudl Highlights</a></p>
<p><em>Forgotten initially, sorry:</em> <strong>Brock Monty</strong>, <em>walk-on</em>, is a 6'3", 210lb 2-star QB/DB from Wichita, KS (Kapaun Mt. Carmel). Monty <a href="http://www.bringonthecats.com/2015/11/30/9818030/k-state-picks-up-in-state-qb-ath" target="new">chose K-State over offers</a> from Air Force, Cornell, and Harvard, as well as a preferred-walk-on offer from Michigan. Monty started <a href="http://www.kake.com/sports/highschool/headlines/KAKE-Sports-Super-10-Brock-Monty-322744121.html" target="new">all four years at QB</a> for the Crusaders, and also played safety as a Senior. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1716975/brock-monty" target="new">Hudl Highlights</a></p>
https://www.bringonthecats.com/2016/1/31/10878830/national-signing-day-2016-who-we-think-we-haveJT VanGilder2016-01-29T09:44:14-06:002016-01-29T09:44:14-06:004-star CB Tre Jackson to Announce Saturday<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/jeremycrabtree/status/693096010428649472">4-star CB Tre Jackson to Announce&nbsp;Saturday</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Looks like we'll know soon enough on four-star CB Tre Jackson. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KState?src=hash">#KState</a>? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tulane?src=hash">#Tulane</a>? <a href="https://t.co/S6Eu9LGs5P">https://t.co/S6Eu9LGs5P</a></p>— Jeremy Crabtree (@jeremycrabtree) <a href="https://twitter.com/jeremycrabtree/status/693096010428649472">January 29, 2016</a></p>
<p><p>Tre Jackson will be choosing between Tulane and K-State after de-committing from South Carolina.</p></p></div>
https://www.bringonthecats.com/2016/1/29/10868914/4-star-cb-tre-jackson-to-announce-saturdayJT VanGilder2016-01-28T19:36:43-06:002016-01-28T19:36:43-06:00National Signing Day 2016: Who We Know
<figure>
<img alt="Hopefully little brother has his speed." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0DMXRMAlR7s2e-fCxC1T6Sn0Ups=/0x0:2977x1985/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48674215/usa-today-8977369.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Hopefully little brother has his speed. | Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>As NSD 2016 approaches, lets take a quick look at those guys we know are already at K-State.</p> <p>Recruiting is always quite the carousel, with recruits committing and decomitting seemingly constantly until the paperwork is signed and official. So it's nice when some of those guys are wrapped up early.</p>
<p>It's even nicer when they can get on campus early. For a kid coming from JUCO, it means a semester of learning a new system. For a recent HS graduate (or greyshirt), it means a whole easy semester for off-season practices, workouts, and classes, and get allows them to get in the groove of the program and being in college before they're worried about the weekly distraction of games and a heightened need to perform.</p>
<p>At K-State, the coaching staff favors players who participated in spring practices, who showed their work in the off-season to get stronger and improve their knowledge of the playbook. This means that incoming freshman are rarely able to see the field unless they come in a semester early.</p>
<p>So with all that in mind, lets take a look at who in the 2016 K-State recruiting class is already on campus.</p>
<h2>Who We Know</h2>
<h4>Junior College</h4>
<p><strong>Abdul Beecham</strong> is a 6'4", 310lb 2-star O-Lineman from Converse, TX via Blinn CC. Beecham had offers from Iowa State, Fresno St., and UAB among others, but chose the Wildcats after his official visit to Manhattan for the game against West Virginia. Beechamn will be looked at to provide instant depth along a severely depleted K-State o-line. Beecham signed in the JUCO early signing period and is currently enrolled in classes at K-State. You can check out some of his <a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/5460367/highlights/293720387/v3" target="new">2015 highlights at Hudl</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Byron Pringle</strong> is a 6'2", 210lb 3-star Wide Receiver who played his JUCO ball at powerhouse Butler (KS) CC. ESPN lists Pringle in their Top 50 JUCO recruits for 2015, but surprisingly neither ESPN or Rivals lists any other offers for the receiver. Pringle will be expected to compete immediately for a starting spot in a receiving corp that saw no standout in 2015, nor any hint of promise for 2016. Pringle signed in the JUCO early signing period and is currently enrolled in classes at K-State. You can check out some of his <a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4052437/highlights/302838375/v3" target="new">2015 highlights at Hudl</a>.</p>
<h4>True Freshmen</h4>
<p><strong>Corey Sutton</strong> is a 6'2", 200lb 3-star Wide Receiver out of Mallard Creek HS in Charlotte, NC. Sutton's biggest offer was from K-State, but he also held FBS offers from Colorado State, Appalachian State, and Georgia Southern. Like Pringle, Sutton will look to join a wide-open wide receiver race. However, it is more likely that Sutton will redshirt, even after arriving early. Sutton graduated HS early and is currently enrolled at K-State for the spring semester. Hudl doesn't have any highlights for his senior year at Mallard Creek, but you can check out <a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2615793/highlights/210218397/v3" target="new">his junior season highlights</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Skylar Thompson</strong>is the gem of the 2016 recruiting class. The 6'2", 195lb 4-star Quarterback comes to K-State from Ft. Osage HS in Independence, MO. Thompson has been committed to K-State since last May, and will join a very crowded, but wide-open QB battle at K-State. Thompson led his HS team to a state championship before graduating HS in December to join K-State for the spring semester. Thompson had offers and interest from several other FBS and top-tier FCS programs from around the country. You can check out Thompson's <a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4398/highlights/315704407/v3" target="new">senior season highlights over at Hudl</a>.</p>
<h4>Greyshirts</h4>
<p>There are three confirmed 2015 greyshirts that are now enrolled at K-State to join the Wildcats for spring practices.You can read about <strong>Kyle Ball</strong> and <strong>Brett Bell</strong> in <a href="http://www.bringonthecats.com/recruiting/2015/2/3/7968545/kansas-state-secures-a-triumvirate-of-kansas-two-stars/in/7633874" target="new">this piece on their commitment last year</a> by KSUEMAW!. The third is All-American <span>Morgan Burns</span>' little brother <strong>Tyler Burns</strong>, who you can check out in <a href="http://www.bringonthecats.com/2015/2/4/7976001/tyler-burns-commits-kansas-state-kansas-iowa-state-national-signing-day-2015/in/7633874" target="new">this piece on his commitment last year</a> by Jon Morse.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong><em>Stay tuned to Bring On The Cats all week for continuing recruiting coverage as we lead up to National Signing Day 2016!</em></strong></p>
https://www.bringonthecats.com/2016/1/28/10861170/national-signing-day-2016-who-we-knowJT VanGilder