Before Joshua Youngblood was a star returner at K-State, Navy wanted him to play QB
Joshua Youngblood had a decision to make.
At about this time last year, the 5-foot-10 athlete from Tampa wasn’t sure where he wanted to play college football or what position he wanted to try after he signed. His options were intertwined. Kansas State wanted him as a receiver, UCLA liked him as a defensive back and all three service academies recruited him as a quarterback.
Youngblood eventually chose K-State and validated his selection with a sensational freshman season that saw him win Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year after returning three kickoffs for touchdowns and amassing 631 all-purpose yards as a do-everything contributor for the Wildcats.
K-State hasn’t seen that kind of production from a freshman since Tyler Lockett.
Still, there is a small part of him that misses touching the ball on every play the way he used to as a dual-threat quarterback in high school. And he will come face-to-face with one of the college teams that wanted him to lead their offense at that position on Tuesday at the Liberty Bowl – Navy.
“I did consider playing quarterback in college,” Youngblood said earlier this week. “I just didn’t know if I could do the whole academy thing. I didn’t know if it was for me. But I could definitely have played quarterback, and I can definitely run the option.”
Youngblood couldn’t help but smile when he learned who the Wildcats were going to play in the Liberty Bowl. The thought of going against No. 21 Navy took him back to his decision-making process and the day Midshipmen assistant Danny O’Rourke visited him in Florida and offered a scholarship to play quarterback.
He has a great deal of respect for the Naval Academy and says it will be fun to play against them in a postseason game. It should also be fun to show how far he has come since high school.
“I am just excited for him to develop for years to come in this program,” K-State running back James Gilbert said. “You are going to remember Youngblood when it is all said and done.”
Learning a new position
The most impressive thing about Younblood’s freshman campaign is that he arrived in Manhattan without any experience at the positions where he is currently shining. He never returned punts or kicks in high school, nor did he catch passes or take handoffs out of the backfield.
Believe it or not, this is all new to him.
“Honestly, I didn’t even realize he didn’t play receiver in high school until someone said it after a few weeks of practice,” senior K-State receiver Dalton Schoen said. “He looked comfortable out there. From the first day I saw him, I knew he was a talented young guy. You could see his explosiveness. I am really proud of Josh for everything he has done this year. But, at the same time, I think he has so much more potential and room to grow. It’s crazy.”
How did he make the transition from high school quarterback to college receiver/return man look so effortless?
K-State quarterback Skylar Thompson has a story that helps explain that one.
Shortly after Youngblood signed with the Wildcats, he began hammering Thompson with questions about the playbook and Chris Klieman’s offense. He sent so many texts to Thompson last spring that Thompson eventually ran out of responses and told Youngblood that the system was also new to him.
But Thompson could tell Youngblood was “a freaking playmaker” and promised to study film with Youngblood the day he arrived on campus. Youngblood took him up on that offer, and they continue to help each other today.
Youngblood also enlisted the help of Philadelphia Eagles receiver Nelson Agholor. They both went to the same high school, and when he visits home during the offseason they work out together.
Few freshmen have traditionally played for the Wildcats fresh out of high school. Even fewer freshmen have prepared for their first year of college more than Youngblood.
“He was one of the first guys, if not the first guy, asking for information, asking for playbook, getting on the phone with Coach (Jason) Ray and talking offensive scheme,” K-State offensive coordinator Courtney Messingham said. “When he got here in June, he was probably as good as anybody at being able to bring what he had learned or what he’d received during the winter or spring and transferring it or taking it to the field.”
More to come
The most exciting thing about Youngblood’s hot start is that K-State hasn’t utilized him as much as they hope to in future years. His speed has made him a star on jet sweeps and kick returns, but he has only caught nine passes for 73 yards.
For that reason, he ignored the awards he won this month and pushed himself during bowl practices. He’s not satisfied.
Once he masters the playbook and evolves as a receiver people may forget he used to play quarterback in high school.
“Next season I want to be a complete receiver,” Youngblood said. “I want to be able to play on every special teams unit and get more involved in the offense. I want to be able to do it all.”