K-State receiver Sterling Lockett ready to follow in family footsteps with Wildcats
The time has come.
Again.
For the fourth instance in recent Kansas State football history, coaches are expecting a wide receiver with a familiar last name to make big plays for the Wildcats.
We are talking, of course, about Sterling Lockett. The redshirt sophomore has played sparingly since he arrived on campus, but that is about to change. To the surprise of practically no one, he appears ready to make an impact as he follows in the footsteps of his older brother (Tyler), his father (Kevin) and his uncle (Aaron) in a K-State uniform.
“He is playing fast,” said K-State co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Matt Wells. “He knows his assignments better, he knows his alignments better, he knows his technique and the route running better, and he’s confident. I see a confident guy playing fast.
“When you’re confident and you’re prepared, you play fast. He is playing closer to his top-end speed now than he was in the spring. I have seen a big improvement. I can’t wait to watch him this fall.”
Sterling Lockett quietly began turning heads at the start of training camp earlier this month by using his speed and athleticism to make catches with the first-string offense.
K-State quarterbacks targeted him often during a recent scrimmage and he hauled in every pass that came his way. That was no fluke. Now he is rising up the depth chart. He isn’t a projected starter yet, but it sounds like he is ready to contribute as one of the top six receivers on the team. He could also help on punt returns.
“Sterling has brought a level of consistency,” K-State receivers coach Matthew Middleton said. “He has become confident in what we do schematically. He’s also become confident in who he is as a player. He knows how to use his skills and how to find ways to get open and win, even at the point of attack when it comes to blocking. I think Sterling has really developed.”
It is impossible for K-State fans not to get excited about what Sterling Lockett can do for the Wildcats now that he has successfully transitioned to the college game.
Even if he only plays in a reserve role, nothing will prevent comparisons to his family.
After all, his relatives all rank in the top five when it comes to career receiving yards in Manhattan.
Tyler Lockett owns just about every school record imaginable with 249 catches for 3,710 yards and 29 touchdowns. There is a reason why he is still playing in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks.
Kevin Lockett is just behind him, with 3,032 career yards.
Not to be outdone, Aaron Lockett piled up 2,400 receiving yards when he played for the Wildcats.
Somehow, they all knew Sterling Lockett would chase their numbers. Near the end of his time at K-State, Tyler Lockett said he was padding his stats because he wanted to make it hard for his little brother to surpass his numbers a decade later.
Sterling Lockett doesn’t have any stats to his name yet. But that should change this season. It’s only a matter of time before his last name is once again a staple during K-State football games.