These K-State football players are generating buzz as spring practice begins
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Klein singled out a dozen Wildcats after one spring practice
- 27 players gained more than 10 pounds of lean muscle
- Cure led in muscle gain and fat loss; others set squat position records
Collin Klein didn’t want to wait.
Even though the Kansas State football team has held just one practice this spring, Klein has already seen enough good things from his players to shine a proverbial spotlight on some of them.
Earlier this week, K-State’s new head coach singled out six Wildcats for their hard work in the weight room and six more Wildcats for their leadership skills.
K-State fans could take it as a good sign that at least a dozen football players are generating positive buzz in the eyes of Klein in late March.
“I’m just really excited to hear and to be able to hit the field and hit the grass with these guys,” Klein said. “We’ve had a really good winter, and I’m very proud of how the entire program, players and staff, have embraced some of the new things that we’re doing and really attacked it.”
Klein said 27 players were able to gain more than 10 pounds of lean muscle mass apiece during winter workouts.
Perhaps the best performer in the weight room was tight end Linkon Cure. Klein reported that he led the roster in both muscle gain and fat loss.
“For an athlete like him to put that together is really impressive,” Klein said. “He was already an elite athlete.”
Cure had a quiet freshman season with the Wildcats in which he caught six passes for 37 yards. But he is a former five-star recruit. Klein hopes to put him positions that will allow him to put up better numbers as a sophomore.
Five other K-State players turned heads in the weight room, as Klein said a handful of student-athletes set new position records at the squat.
They were:
- Jacob Knuth (QB) - 495 pounds
- Derrick Salley (WR) - 505 pounds
- Andrew Johnson (LS) - 505 pounds
- Jet Dineed (DB) - 510 pounds
- Keiton Jones (OL) - 605 pounds
Klein also said he already knows which players he will lean on for leadership this spring.
He has seen good things in that area from quarterback Avery Johnson and running back Joe Jackson, as well as defenders Rex Van Wyhe, Jordan Allen, Zashon Rich and Donovan McIntosh.
“Avery sticks out,” Klein said. “I think he’s done a tremendous job. Him and Joe Jackson both have been a very vocal piece of driving energy and driving spirit. Then you look at Rex Van Wyhe on defense and Jordan Allen and Zashon (Rich) and Donovan (McIntosh). All those guys have really done a great job of facilitating those things relationally, on both sides of the ball.”
We won’t know how many K-State football players end up looking like big winners in the spring until practices come to an end next month. But a dozen appear to be on the right track.