K-State begins preseason camp without top freshman linebacker

The top-rated high school player in Kansas State’s 2017 recruiting class is not currently a member of the team.

Daniel Green, a 6-foot-3, 228-pound linebacker from Portland, Ore., is still working to become academically eligible, K-State football coach Bill Snyder said Thursday.

“At some point in time he will be here,” Snyder said, “but I am not sure when that will be.”

K-State’s media guide features a brief profile of Green along with freshmen participating in preseason practices, but he was removed from the active roster earlier this week.

Green was a standout defender as a high school senior. Rivals ranked him as the nation’s 245th best prospect, and he chose the Wildcats over a number of power conference schools, including Utah, Oregon State and Mississippi. He was originally committed to Southern California, but switched to K-State on National Signing Day.

His addition was seen as a major plus for the Wildcats, as he looked capable of immediately competing for playing time.

That now seems unlikely.

“That is a major mountain to climb,” Snyder said. “If you aren’t here during camp and have no previous experience, it’s not easy. It’s very hard.”

This story was originally published August 3, 2017 at 7:17 PM with the headline "K-State begins preseason camp without top freshman linebacker."