Key observations from Kansas State’s first depth chart of football season

Chris Klieman and the Kansas State Wildcats unveiled their first depth chart of the 2019 football season on Monday.

Here are some key observations from the two-deep as K-State prepares for its first game against Nicholls at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium:

Clarity at running back

At long last, we know who will lead K-State’s new look committee of running backs. James Gilbert will get the start in Game 1.

Gilbert, a graduate transfer from Ball State, edged out Jordon Brown and Harry Trotter for the job. The depth chart lists the word “or” between Brown and Trotter, meaning it will be a game-time decision on who serves as the backup.

All three running backs are expected to play and get touches this season. A fourth ball-carrier, such as freshman Joe Ervin, might join them. But Gilbert will lead the way for now.

Too close to call

A number of position will linger into the regular season.

One of them didn’t even appear to be a position battle until the depth chart was released. That would be Kyle Ball and Reggie Walker going toe-to-toe for a starting job at defensive end. Walker seemed like a sure starter after he was named to the preseason All Big 12 team. But he battled injuries during preseason camp, while Ball impressed. Either one of them will start opposite Wyatt Hubert on Saturday.

The Wildcats are also waiting to announce their backup quarterback. Nick Ast was listed first behind Skylar Thompson on the depth chart, suggesting the walk-on from Cimarron has a slight edge for the job, but that role could also go to John Holcombe. They are also separated by the word “or” on the depth chart.

Pecking order at receiver

Who will play alongside senior Dalton Schoen? We have our answer. Wykeen Gill is listed as the team’s other starter at receiver. Malik Knowles, Phillip Brooks and Landry Weber should also see the field when the Wildcats use three or four receivers in the same formation.

Freshmen Joshua Youngblood and Chris Herron may contribute as the season marches on, but neither one of them cracked the initial depth chart.

Multiple positions

A few K-State players appear at multiple positions.

Nick Lenners is the most notable member of that group. The sophomore from Lincoln, Nebraska is expected to contribute the most at tight end this season, but he is also listed as a fullback.

Blaise Gammon is the team’s starting tight end and Lenners is the starting fullback. It will be interesting to see how Klieman uses him at both spots.

Defensive back Walter Neil will also help out as a returner on special teams along with receivers Brooks and Knowles.

Experience up front

All five of Kansas State’s starters on the offensive line will share something in common when they take the field for the first time together under coach Chris Klieman on Saturday.

They will all be seniors.

If Klieman sticks with the group he announced as likely starters on Monday, here’s how the Wildcats will look up front. Scott Frantz will start at left tackle, Evan Curl will handle left guard, Adam Holtorf will work at center, Tyler Mitchell will block at right guard and Nick Kaltmayer will get his turn at right tackle.

“The one guard spot with Evan Curl and Josh Rivas is fluid right now,” Klieman said Monday on the Big 12 coaches’ teleconference. “I think Evan will probably get the nod, but we will see what happens this week. I know both will play.”

Starting five seniors up front should be an advantage for the Wildcats this season. Experience is an important factor for any offensive line, and K-State will feature an abundance of it this season.

Frantz has started 38 straight games for the Wildcats since taking over at left tackle as a redshirt freshman, while Holtorf has served as the team’s center the past two seasons. This will also be Mitchell’s fourth year as a starter.

Kaltmayer played sparingly the past few years behind star right tackle Dalton Risner, but he has been good when called upon and seems ready to fill his shoes.

Curl will be the only first-time starter of the bunch.

“We have a number of guys,” Klieman said, “who have played an awful lot of snaps up front.”

Winner at defensive tackle

Jordan Mittie and Joe Davies will see significant action at defensive tackle next to Trey Dishon this season, but Mittie will start in the first game and Davies will come in as a reserve.

That was one of the most competitive position battles of preseason camp.

This story was originally published August 26, 2019 at 12:13 PM.