Chris Klieman’s recruiting victories starting to make impact on Kansas State defense
Losing a pair of seniors that combined to make 46 tackles while defending passes a year ago is normally the type of thing that would keep Kansas State coaches up late searching for quick-fix answers, but there doesn’t seem to be much concern emanating from the Wildcats’ secondary at the moment ... even with the season rapidly approaching.
The reason for this calm approach can be found on the team’s depth chart, which for now remains private.
Seniority means less than it used to in Manhattan. New talent is emerging in preseason camp. Fans will see fresh faces when games begin on Sept. 12.
Nowhere is that more true than at the back end of K-State’s defense. After Jonathan Alexander decided not to play this season because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic and Walter Neil entered the transfer portal, there will be plenty of opportunities for newcomers and rising stars at defensive back. K-State coaches aren’t worried about those players, because they have shined throughout camp.
K-State defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman didn’t mention Alexander or Neil while speaking with reporters earlier this month, but he did have lots of praise for Minnesota graduate transfer Kiondre Thomas, sophomore Lance Robinson, freshman T.J. Smith and junior-college transfer Justin Gardner.
“There will be a lot of fresh faces back there this year, not to mention some of the old dogs as well.” Klanderman said. “Those guys will factor into it. It’s an ongoing competition. I think some of those spots are a lot closer than some might think because of some of the guys I just mentioned.”
It was the same story when cornerbacks coach Van Malone spoke with media last week.
Reading between the lines, it seemed like K-State’s secondary was ready for a changing of the guard, regardless of what two of their most experienced players planned to do this season.
“There are days at the corner position where maybe Thomas outshines everyone at that position on Tuesday,” Klanderman said. “And maybe it’s Lance Robinson on Wednesday and Thursday it’s AJ Parker. That’s something we probably didn’t have a year ago. That’s a refreshing deal, because we’re going to need that depth heading into this season.”
To be sure, K-State would rather have kept Neil than lost him to the transfer portal, considering he had 18 starts under his belt and he was a selfless teammate that wasn’t even on scholarship. Depth is somewhat of an issue at safety, so Alexander would have helped there as well. But signs point to the Wildcats recruiting over both players in just two years under Chris Klieman.
Thomas appears to have made a seamless transition to K-State’s defense after making 16 starts and piling up 75 tackles at Minnesota. The Wildcats added him during the offseason mostly for depth purposes, but he may now have the inside track on the starting job opposite of Parker at corner.
K-State also likes the early returns it has seen from Gardner. At 6-foot-2 and 191 pounds, he has the size to compete with any receiver for a jump ball. Robinson, who started on game last season, has also made strides since last season.
Add Tee Denson and Smith to the mix as freshmen, and it’s easy to see how K-State’s secondary could handle some attrition.
There are more uncertainty at safety, but Wayne Jones returns at strong safety and coaches have spoken highly of Will Jones, Ross Elder, Tyrone Lewis and Brock Monty.
K-State is confident with the personnel it has coming back in the secondary, even after losing two experienced defenders.
It would have taken a herculean effort for anyone to leapfrog a player with Neil’s experience in previous seasons. But a new recruiting approach has raised the level of competition.