How tight end Garrett Oakley became a weekly touchdown threat for Kansas State
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Garrett Oakley has scored touchdowns in three straight games for K-State.
- He now holds Kansas State’s career tight end touchdown record.
- QB Avery Johnson has increased targets after building chemistry with Oakley.
Kansas State football fans have come to expect a fun touchdown dance from Garrett Oakley every time he makes a catch in the end zone.
The junior tight end has celebrated all four of his touchdowns this season by shimmying his body in four completely different ways.
He got the trend started by doing the “The Carlton” after he caught a shovel pass from Avery Johnson and scored a short touchdown against UCF. Next up was “The Griddy” during a game at Baylor. Then he got to dance twice against TCU after he caught four passes for 71 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
What unique dance will we see next? Good question.
“I’m kind of running out of them right now,” Oakley said.
That is a good problem to have. And it helps illustrate just how reliable Oakley has become as a target in the K-State passing game. He has caught at least one pass in every game this season, but he has been on an impressive tear lately. Oakley has caught a touchdown pass in three straight games for the Wildcats.
He also now holds the K-State record for career touchdowns by a tight end, passing Ben Sinnott and Henry Childs.
Reaching that kind of achievement had the 6-foot-5 playmaker in a thankful mood.
“I just kind of gave my speech and thanked coach (Chris) Klieman,” Oakley said. “Because out of high school, Kansas State was my only Power Five offer. They believed in me and then I put my head down and started working hard when I got here. I really thank Brian Lepak for how he developed me and now coach (Matt) Wells improving my game as well. It has all been really beneficial.”
Johnson is ready to help Oakley pad the record.
No one was sure how good Oakley could be as a pass-catcher heading into this season. But he has proven that he has a high ceiling within the offense.
“A lot of times earlier in the year, I didn’t give him as much credit as he deserves” Johnson said, “whenever he has one-on-one matchups for him being able to win and be physical at the top of routes and get out of breaks. He’s been open all year, but these past few weeks I’ve trusted him a lot more and he’s holding up his end of it.”
Johnson and Oakley said they started to build chemistry within the offense after they had a long conversation with each other a few weeks back. They talked about playing with swagger and having fun on the football field. Then they began connecting for touchdowns.
It might be time for Oakley to start thinking of new dances.