Multiple KU, K-State football players earn Big 12 preseason All-Conference honors
The Kansas Jayhawks and the Kansas State Wildcats are both well-represented on the Big 12’s preseason All-Conference team, which was announced Thursday.
K-State placed three of its players on the team, while two KU players received honors from the league.
Leading the way for K-State was Wyatt Hubert. The junior defensive end was an easy pick for voters coming off his impressive sophomore campaign with the Wildcats. He was joined on the team by sophomore receiver Joshua Youngblood, who made the preseason list as a return specialist, and Nick Lenners, who made the squad as a fullback.
This is the first preseason honor for all three players, each of whom were named First Team All-Big 12 performers by the league’s coaches following the 2019 season. The three Wildcats on the list are tied for the fourth most in the league and are the most by K-State since 2017.
Pooka Williams led the way for the Jayhawks, but receiver Andrew Parchment was right alongside him on the offensive side of the Big 12’s preseason team.
The awards are voted on by a panel of media who covers the Big 12 Conference.
This is the second-consecutive year Williams has picked up a preseason All-Big 12 nod, while it marks the first for Parchment.
A season ago, Williams rushed for 1,061 yards and two touchdowns on 203 attempts while adding 27 catches for 214 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver.
Parchment’s breakout season in 2019 included 65 receptions for 831 yards and seven touchdowns.
For K-State, Lenners caught 13 passes for 163 yards and a touchdown last season while playing both fullback and tight end. He was also utilized as a blocker, and he helped pave the way for several productive days of offense.
Hubert tallied 33 tackles, including 12.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 12 games a year ago.
Youngblood was one of the nation’s best return men last season, averaging 35.9 yards per kickoff return and scoring three times as a freshman.